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Published on: October 20, 2023
Three-segment versus 2-segment surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion
Pedro Andre A Pereira1, João Vitor Canellas2, Ramiro Beato Souza2
1Master's student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Objective:
To compare the 2 surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) techniques, the conventional 2-segment osteotomy between maxillary central incisors and the 3-segment osteotomy between maxillary lateral incisors and canines bilaterally. Authors hypothesized that the 3-piece would provide better bone expansion.
Study Design:
A pilot study was conducted; 19 patients were divided into 2 groups: conventional 2-segment osteotomy (10 patients) and 3-segment osteotomy (9 patients). Dental and skeletal measurements of the preoperative and postoperative cone beam computed tomography images were analyzed. Pre- and postoperative periodontal probing was performed, patients' cosmetic perception was evaluated in a colored visual analog scale (VAS), and surgical time was measured with a regular chronometer.
Results:
Three-segment SARME resulted in greater bone expansion (5.12 vs 6.20 mm; P = .016), less molar inclination (7.16 vs 3.57 degrees; P = .028), better patient cosmetic perception (3.13 vs 7.68 in a VAS; P = .000), and longer surgical time (43 vs 52 minutes; P = .026). Furthermore, the 2-segment group presented necrosis of 1 central incisor.
Conclusions:
Results suggest that 3-piece SARME is more effective for bone expansion of the maxilla.
