Comparison of maxillary transversal changes between auxiliary beta-titanium expansion arch and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion.

OBJECTIVE(S): This study compared buccal bone thickness, dental inclinations and maxillary transverse width dimensions changes between auxiliary beta-titanium expansion arch (AEA) and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 29 patients, aged between 18 and 40 years, with transverse maxillary deficiency and treated without extractions, divided into two groups: group AEA: comprised 13 individuals (initial mean age: 29.23 ± 9.13 years) treated using auxiliary beta-titanium expansion arch; group MARPE: comprised 16 patients (initial mean age: 24.92 ± 7.60 years) treated with miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion. Buccal bone thickness, dental inclinations and transverse width dimensions (dental, nasal base and jugular) were measured in cone-bean computed tomographies at pre- and post-treatment stages. The variables were compared using the independent t-test. RESULTS: The buccal bone thickness was similar for both groups at the post-treatment stage. The second premolars were significantly more buccal inclined in the AEA group and the right maxillary first molars in the MARPE group. The intercanine and intermolar distances were statistically significantly greater in the MARPE group. Changes in dental arch transverse dimensions were significantly greater for the MARPE group. CONCLUSION: Both treatment protocols corrected the maxillary transverse discrepancy; however, MARPE provided greater correction.

Maxillary dental and skeletal effects after treatment with self-ligating appliance and miniscrew-assisted rapid maxillary expansion.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the present study was to compare the maxillary dental and skeletal effects after treatment with self-ligating appliance and miniscrew-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARPE). METHODS: The sample comprised 37 patients with Class I malocclusion treated without tooth extraction, divided into 2 groups: group 1 comprises 21 patients with a mean age of 19.55 years (standard deviation = 1.31), submitted to orthodontic treatment with Damon self-ligating appliance, and evaluated until the end of the alignment and leveling stage. Group 2 comprises 16 patients with a mean age of 24.92 years (standard deviation = 7.60), with maxillary atresia, who underwent MARPE, and were evaluated after the removal of the expander. Buccal bone thickness; dental inclinations; and transverse distances of the maxillary arch, nasal base, and jugula widths were measured on cone-beam computed tomography scans before and after treatment. The intergroup comparison was performed with the independent t test. RESULTS: With treatment, there was a significantly greater decrease in buccal bone thickness of canines and premolars in the self-ligating group, the premolars presented a greater buccal inclination in the self-ligating group, and the intercanine and intermolar distances and nasal base and jugula widths showed significantly greater increases in the MARPE group than in the self-ligating group. CONCLUSIONS: MARPE treated more severe skeletal transverse maxillary discrepancies and obtained better results than self-ligating appliances in terms of buccal bone loss, tooth inclination, and transverse skeletal increase of the maxilla. MARPE presented more skeletal effects and self-ligating appliances, more dental effects.