Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: a comparison of technique, response, and stability

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in treatment effects between adult patients who underwent surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion employing buccal corticotomies and those who had midpalatal splits as well. Responses and sequelae of these treated patients were compared with adults who were expanded orthopedically and adults who were treated orthodontically without expansion. The sample comprised 37 patients who were expanded and 5 controls. Dental study casts were taken prior to treatment, at debanding, and at the posttreatment follow-up. The results indicated that maxillary expansion in adults was predictable and stable, corrected crossbites remained corrected, palatal depth was reduced in SARME, palatal width increased (more dramatically in patients treated with a combined procedure), and tipping was controlled and stable. The long-term buccogingival condition was more acceptable in adults expanded with surgical augmentation than in those expanded orthopedically.