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Published on: October 20, 2023
Three-dimensional effects of pterygomaxillary disconnection during surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a
Stephan Christian Möhlhenrich1, Ali Modabber2, Mohammad Kamal2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pterygomaxillary disconnection on the transversal expansion of the maxilla.
Study Design:
Fifteen cadaver heads were used for surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE), which was carried out twice on the same heads-with and without pterygoid disconnection. The maxillae were expanded by 10 mm by using a rapid palatal expander. Study models before and after both SARPE techniques were made and scanned by an oral scanner for virtual analysis by software.
Results:
Performing pterygomaxillary disconnection during SARPE led to a decrease in the deviation between the incisor regions from 5.42 ± 1.13 mm to 4.05 ± 1.12 mm (P = .002) and an increase in the distance between second premolar regions from 2.63 ± 1.64 mm to 4.07 ± 2.01 mm (P = .040).
Conclusions:
SARPE without pterygomaxillary disconnection led to a V-shaped transverse expansion of the maxilla, whereas osteotomy of the pterygoid plates led to a parallel transverse expansion.
