Can rapid maxillary expansion affect speech sound production in growing patients? A systematic review.

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) may change speech sound parameters due to the enlargement of oral and nasal cavities. This study aimed to systematically review the current evidence on speech changes as a side effect of RME. An electronic search was conducted in nine databases, and two of them accessed the 'grey literature'. The eligibility criteria included clinical studies assessing orthodontic patients with maxillary transverse deficiency and the relationship with speech alterations without restricting publication year or language. Only interventional studies were included. The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool assessed the risk of bias. The initial search provided 4853 studies. Seven articles (n = 200 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. The primary source of bias was the absence of a control group in four studies. RME altered speech production by changing vowel fundamental frequency and fricative phoneme formant frequency. Shimmer and jitter rates changed in one and two studies, respectively. Two studies presented deterioration during orthodontic treatment, but speech improved after appliance removal. Despite the limited evidence, RME affects speech during and after treatment.

The short- and long-term changes of upper airway and alar in nongrowing patients treated with Mini-Implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the short- and long-term changes in the upper airway and alar width after mini-implant -assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in nongrowing patients. METHODS: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched up to 2 August, 2023 based on the PICOS principles. The main outcomes were classified into three groups: 1) nasal cavity changes, 2) upper airway changes and 3) alar changes. The mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess these changes. Heterogeneity tests, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias were also analyzed. RESULT: Overall, 22 articles were included for data analysis. Nasal cavity width (WMD: 2.05 mm; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.00) and nasal floor width (WMD: 2.13 mm; 95% CI: 1.16, 3.11) increased significantly. While palatopharyngeal volume (WMD: 0.29 cm3, 95% CI: -0.44, 1.01), glossopharyngeal volume (WMD: 0.30 cm3, 95% CI: -0.29, 0.89) and hypopharyngeal volume (WMD: -0.90 cm3; 95% CI: -1.86, 0.06) remained unchanged, nasal cavity volume (WMD: 1.24 cm3, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.81), nasopharyngeal volume (MD: 0.75 cm3, 95% CI: 0.44, 1.06), oropharyngeal volume (WMD: 0.61 cm3, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.87), and total volume of the upper airway (WMD: 1.67 cm3, 95% CI: 0.68, 2.66) increased significantly. Alar width (WMD: 1.47 mm; 95% CI: 0.40, 2.55) and alar base width (WMD: 1.54 mm; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.87) also increased. CONCLUSION: MARPE can increase nasal cavity width, nasal cavity volume, nasopharyngeal volume and oropharyngeal volume for nongrowing patients, but has no significant effect on hypopharyngeal volume. In addition, the alar width also increased. However, the studies included in this meta-analysis were mainly retrospective, nonrandomized and small in number, so the findings should be interpreted with caution and high-quality RCTs need to be studied.

External root resorption and rapid maxillary expansion in the short-term: a CBCT comparative study between tooth-borne and bone-borne appliances, using 3D imaging digital technology.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze and compare external root resorption (ERR) in patients treated with tooth-borne (TB) and bone-borne (BB) rapid maxillary expansion (RME). METHODS: The sample included 40 subjects who received tooth-borne RME (TB group, average age: 13.1 ± 1.08 years) or bone-borne RME (BB group, average age: 14.5 ± 1.11 years) and Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans before treatment (T0) and after 3-month of retention (T1). A specific 3D Imaging technology was used to generate 3D models of posterior dentition (M1 = maxillary first molars, P2 = second premolars, P1 = first premolar) and calculate volumetric data (mean and percentage values) and shape changes, the latter obtained from deviation analysis between the radicular models at different time points. Evaluation of radicular length changes was performed for each tooth. Data were statistically analysed to perform intra-timing and inter-groups comparisons. RESULTS: A significant reduction of radicular volume and length was found in posterior dentition in both groups (p < 0.05), and the M1 (volume) and its palatal root (length) were mostly involved in this response. No differences were found between M1, P1 and P2 (p > 0.05) when volumetric changes were calculated as percentage of the total volume. Deviation analysis revealed that the radicular areas mostly affected by shape change were the apex and bucco-medial side. The amount of ERR was significantly greater in TB group compared to BB group. CONCLUSIONS: BB-RME treatment could reduce the amount of ERR at the post-expansion stage.

Does rapid maxillary expansion improve nasal airway obstruction? A computer fluid dynamics study in patients with nasal mucosa hypertrophy and obstructive adenoids.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) expands the maxillary dentition laterally and improves nasal airway obstruction. However, the incidence of nasal airway obstruction improvement after RME is approximately 60%. This study aimed to clarify the beneficial effects of RME on nasal airway obstruction in specific pathologic nasal airway diseases (nasal mucosa hypertrophy and obstructive adenoids) using computer fluid dynamics. METHODS: Sixty subjects (21 boys; mean age 9.1 years) were divided into 3 groups according to their nasal airway condition (control, nasal mucosa hypertrophy, and obstructive adenoids), and those requiring RME had cone-beam computed tomography images taken before and after RME. These data were used to evaluate the nasal airway ventilation condition (pressure) using computer fluid dynamics and measure the cross-sectional area of the nasal airway. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of the nasal airway significantly increased after RME in all 3 groups. The pressures in the control and nasal mucosa groups significantly reduced after RME but did not change significantly in the adenoid group. The incidence of improvement in nasal airway obstruction in the control, nasal mucosa, and adenoid groups was 90.0%, 31.6%, and 23.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of improvement in nasal airway obstruction after RME depends on the nasal airway condition (nasal mucosa hypertrophy and obstructive adenoids). In patients with nonpathologic nasal airway conditions, the obstruction may be sufficiently improved with RME. Furthermore, to some extent, RME may be effective in treating nasal mucosa hypertrophy. However, because of obstructive adenoids, RME was ineffective in patients with nasal airway obstruction.

Immediate skeletal effects of rapid maxillary expansion at midpalatal suture opening with Differential, Hyrax and Haas expanders.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference at the midpalatal suture opening after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using Expander with Differential Opening (EDO), Hyrax-type and Haas-type expanders. METHODS: Occlusal radiographs of 52 patients (19 males and 33 females; average age= 9.46?1.20 years) treated with RME were divided into three groups, according to the expander used: EDO (n=17), Hyrax-type (n=21) and Haas-type (n=14). The evaluated variables were: A) Distance between the maxillary central incisors at the incisal edge; B) Distance between the alveolar ridges at the midpalatal suture; C) Suture opening at 10-mm distance from the crest to posterior, at the midpalatal suture; D) Suture opening at 20-mm distance from the crest to posterior, at the midpalatal suture; and E) Suture opening at 30-mm distance from the crest to posterior, at the midpalatal suture. To assess the normality of variables, the Shapiro-Wilk test was performed. For intergroup comparison, ANOVA with a significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS: At the region A, Hyrax-type (4.66 mm) and EDO (4.87 mm) groups presented larger openings than the Haas-type group (3.43 mm). In regions B and C, EDO showed a statistically significant greater opening than the Haas-type group. In region D, a smaller opening of the midpalatal suture was observed in the Haas-type group, compared to the Hyrax-type and EDO groups. CONCLUSIONS: EDO and Hyrax-type produced greater immediate skeletal effects, compared with Haas-type, but these differences were about 1 mm and might not be clinically significant.

Reverse Forsus vs. facemask/rapid palatal expansion appliances in growing subjects with mild class III malocclusions : A randomized controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue effects of reverse Forsus (RF; 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) and facemask/rapid palatal expansion (FM/RPE) appliances in growing subjects with class III malocclusions. METHODS: The data of this prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) were derived from pre- and posttreatment/observation lateral cephalograms of 45 subjects with mild class III malocclusions: group 1 (8 girls, 7 boys; mean age 10.54 years) received a FM/RPE appliance; group 2 (6 girls, 9 boys; mean age 10.49 years) received the RF appliance; and an untreated control group (7 girls, 8 boys; mean age 10.66 years) was matched to the treatment groups with regard to sagittal skeletal and dental classifications. Angular and linear measurements were evaluated using lateral cephalograms. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way analysis of variance, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis, paired-samples t­test, and Wilcoxon test, whereby p < 0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The intermaxillary (ANB), interdental (overjet), and sagittal lip relations in the FM/RPE and RF groups showed significant improvements compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Although the anterior and inferior traction of the maxilla was greater in the FM/RPE group compared to the RF group (p < 0.05), both treatment groups showed similar clockwise rotation of the mandible compared to the control group. While significantly more proclination of maxillary incisors occurred in the RF group compared to the FM/RPE and control groups (p < 0.05), both treatments led to significantly retroclined mandibular incisors compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both therapies led to intermaxillary and interdental improvements. The RF appliance had a limited effect on the maxilla and it mostly had dentoalveolar effects when compared to FM/RPE therapy.

Does unilateral surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) lead to perinasal asymmetry?

OBJECTIVE: True unilateral posterior crossbite (TUPC) requires unilateral expansion to prevent nonocclusion at the noncrossbite (NC) side. The recommended osteotomies for TUPC after sutural closure are anterior, lateral, and posterior osteotomies only on the crossbite (C) side and median osteotomy of the midpalatal suture, i.e., unilateral surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). The goal was to assess airway and perinasal soft tissue outcomes after SARME. METHODS: Data from 16 patients (8 males, 8 females; mean age 18.38 ± 1.45 years) were retrospectively assessed after unilateral SARME. The expansion (twice daily: 0.5 mm/day) and retention periods comprised 3 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Stereophotogrammetric images were used for soft tissue assessment; cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to evaluate the anterior nasal airway. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Using linear measurements, soft tissue distances of the alar base and alare to midsagittal plane (MSP) were significantly increased on the C side. A significant decrease was observed for the distance from the lower nostril point to the MSP on the NC side compared to a significant increase on the C side. Comparing the C and NC sides, the changes were significantly higher on the C side for all parameters except the upper nostril point to the MSP distance. Cheek volume was significantly higher on the C side. Volume changes of the anterior nasal airway (ANA) were significantly increased on the C side, but volume changes between NC and C were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral SARME led to significant expansion of ANA on the C side, but did not lead to asymmetry in the nasal region or have adverse effects on the airway or perinasal soft tissues. Thus, this novel treatment method may be useful in the treatment of patients with TUPC.

Does MARPE therapy have effects on intracranial pressure? a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate possible intracranial pressure (ICP) changes caused by screw activations during active microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) therapy of post-pubertal individuals by measuring the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) under ultrasonography (US) guidance. METHODS: This study's participants comprised 15 patients (7 males, 8 females) with posterior crossbite and a mean age of 16.7 years (14.25-20.08 years). The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) appliance was used to perform MARPE in all patients. Their vital signs (heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2)) were recorded. The ONSD was measured by US immediately before the first screw activation (T0), and the measurements were repeated 1 min (T1) and 10 min (T2) after the first activation. In the last session of active MARPE therapy, the same measurement protocol was performed as in the first activation session (T3, T4, and T5). The patients' perceptions of pain during the screw activation were also noted at T1 and T4 using a four-category verbal rating scale (VRS-4). The significant differences among different time intervals performed with the Friedman test (for all tested variables; SpO2, MAP, Heart Rate, VRS-4 and ONSD). Spearman correlation test was used for VRS-4 and ONSD comparisons. The statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. RESULTS: The ONSD values ​​(T1 and T4) relatively increased within 1 min after screw activation but did not reach a statistically significant level (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference between the initial (T0) and the final (T5) ONSD values ​​during the active MARPE therapy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is no changes or alterations in intracranial pressure in late adolescents during active MARPE therapy.

Alveolar defects before and after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE): a CBCT assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE) promote maxillary expansion in skeletally mature patients. This technique is effective; however, some side effects are still unknown. OBJECTIVES: evaluate the presence of alveolar defects (dehiscences and fenestrations) in patients submitted to the SARPE. The null hypothesis tested was: SARPE does not influence the number of dehiscences and fenestrationss. METHODS: A retrospective quasi-experiment study of a convenience sample of 279 maxillary teeth, in 29 patients evaluated with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) at T1 (before SARPE), T2 (after expansion) and T3 (after retention), was performed. The examined teeth were: canines, first and second premolars, first and second molars. in axial, coronal, and cross-sectional views. The evaluations involved viewing slices from mesial to distal of the buccal roots. RESULTS: All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.3 and SUDAAN softwares. Alpha used in the study was 0.05. Alveolar defects increased statistically from T1 (69.0%) to T2 (96.5%) and T3 (100%). Dehiscences increased 195% (Relative Risk 2.95) at the end of expansion (T2). After retention (T3), individuals were on average 4.34 times more likely to develop dehiscences (334% increase). Fenestrations did not increase from T1 to T2 (p = 0.0162, 7.9%) and decreased from T2 to T3 (p = 0.0259, 4.3%). Presence of fenestrations at T1 was a significant predictor for the development of dehiscences in T2 and T3. Dehiscences increased significantly in all teeth, except second molars. CONCLUSION: The null hypothesis was rejected. After SARPE the number of dehiscences increased and fenestrations decreased. Previous alveolar defects were predictor for dehiscences after SARPE.

Olfaction in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: The first study.

BACKGROUND: To study the pattern of olfactory dysfunction/recovery in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). METHODS: Olfactory assessment was undertaken in 30 patients (category1) both pre- & post-operatively and in another 18 (category 2) only postoperative. All patients underwent transpalatal excision and variables of interest included age, radiological stage/parameters & tumor size. RESULTS: Objective olfactory dysfunction was seen in 60% while involvement of olfactory strip was suggested in 50%. Despite some marginal trends only noted between size/age with change of olfaction, Pearson's correlation test did not reveal any significance amongst multiple variables. However a better recovery of olfaction following surgery was evident in Category-2 where Chi-Square test (p < 0.05) significantly revealed this to be a function of postoperative duration. This regenerative course in JNA suggests an optimum period of 4 years for full recovery after surgery. CONCLUSION: In this first study of olfaction in JNA many new trends have been appreciated. In general, deteriorations of olfaction were seen due to 'vascular-concussion' effect in early postoperative phase where post-surgical clearance of airway showed minimal effect in terms of improvement. The hypervascularity of olfactory epithelium with possible hormonal effects may be responsible for the unique pattern of olfactory function and recovery in JNA.

Riesgos asociados al uso de Expansión Rápida del Maxilar / Risks associated with the use of Maxillary Rapid Expansion

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las anomalías dentomaxilares corresponden a un grupo de alteraciones que dificultan el desarrollo armónico de los maxilares, donde encontramos las anomalías transversales. La expansión rápida del maxilar (ERM) se utiliza como tratamiento de anomalías transversales, su objetivo es aumentar la distancia transversal por la separación de ambas hemiarcadas a nivel de la sutura palatina, utilizando un aparato expansor fijo y rígido. Los disyuntores más utilizados son los expansores Hass, Hyrax y de McNamara. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de la presente revisión es identificar los riesgos de la RME reportados en la literatura relacionados con disyuntores Hass, Hyrax y Mc Namara. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda en PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Trip Database y Google Acadèmico utilizando los tèrminos: "Rapid Maxillary Expansion", "Risks", "Child", "Maxillary Expansion", "RME", "Palatal Expansion", "Hyrax", "Hass". Se incluyeron estudios en inglès y español, sin límites en el año de publicación o tipo de estudio. Como criterios de exclusión consideramos la expansión quirúrgica, expansión lenta u otro tratamiento simultáneo durante la fase de expansión activa. RESULTADOS: De los artículos encontrados, veinte cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Dentro de los riesgos se encuentran: deglución accidental del dispositivo de activación del expansor, bacteremia transitoria, desviación del septum nasal, reabsorción radicular, compromiso periodontal, cambio posicional de los cóndilos, cambios faciales de tejido blando y cambios esqueletales. CONCLUSIÓN: La ERM es un procedimiento ortopèdico eficaz, sus indicaciones en el tratamiento precoz han aumentado debido a resultados positivos. De acuerdo con la bibliografía encontrada los beneficios superan considerablemente a los efectos negativos

INTRODUCTION: The dentomaxillary anomalies correspond to a group of alterations that hinder the harmonic development of the jaws, where we find the transversal anomalies. Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) is used as a treatment for transverse anomalies, its objective is to increase the transversal distance by separating both hemiarchies at the level of the palatal suture, using a fixed and rigid expander. The most used are the Hass, Hyrax and McNamara expanders. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to identify the EMR risks reported in the literature related to Hass, Hyrax and Mc Namara expander. METHODOLOGY: A search was made in PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Trip Database and Google Scholar using the terms: "Rapid Maxillary Expansion", "Risks", "Child", "Maxillary Expansion", "RME", "Palatal Expansion", "Hyrax", "Hass". Studies in English and Spanish were included, without limits in the year of publication or type of study. As exclusion criteria, we consider surgical expansion, slow expansion or other simultaneous treatment during the active expansion phase. RESULTS: Of the articles found, twenty met the inclusion criteria. Among the risks are: accidental swallowing of the expander activation device, transient bacteremia, deviation of the nasal septum, root resorption, periodontal involvement, positional change of the condyles, soft tissue facial changes and skeletal changes. CONCLUSION: RME is an effective orthopedic procedure, its indications in early treatment have increased due to positive results. According to the bibliography found, the benefits considerably outweigh the negative effects

Evaluation of photobiomodulation effects on pain, edema, paresthesia, and bone regeneration after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: Study protocol for a randomized, controlled, and double blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) generates an uncomfortable postoperative period accompanied by pain, edema, and paresthesia. There are few studies on the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) after SARME and it was not possible to find studies on the efficacy of light emitted by diode (LED) after this type of intervention. The main objective of the study will be to evaluate the efficacy of PBM with LED in the control of pain, facial edema, paresthesia, and bone repair after SARME. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 72 participants aged from 18 to 45 years, who search the Department of Buccomaxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology of Mandaqui Hospital Complex, will be conducted. Immediately after surgeries, the participant will be inserted into the placebo or LED group. In the LED group, the participants will receive PBM with an extraoral device (660 and 850 nm with 6 J per point) and an intraoral device (660 nm with 2 J per point) and in the control group the person in charge of the application will simulate the irradiation with the devices kept off. The applications will be in the immediate postoperative period, 1, 2, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after the end of the surgeries, when the evaluations will also be performed. Facial measurements, extra and intraoral sensitivity, pain and bone repair will be evaluated. Secondarily, data regarding the occurrence of headache; otalgia; nausea; bruising; nasolacrimation; epistaxis; dysphagia; systemic and superficial temperature in the operated region; use of analgesics and anti-inflammatories; anxiety and impact of oral health on the participants' quality of life will be computed. DISCUSSION: Since PBM has shown positive effects on postoperative complications of other types of oral surgery and also has a positive effect on bone repair after maxillary disjunction, surgically assisted or not, it seems clear the need to evaluate its performance regarding pain, edema, and paresthesia after these surgeries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This protocol was registered in Clinical Trials platform (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) with the number NCT03814525, first published and last updated on January 24, 2019.

Glue embolisation of a bleeding pseudoaneurysm related to surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion.

Vascular injuries after orthognathic surgery are rare, and mainly occur in young adults after Le Fort I osteotomies. We report the case of a 14-year-old girl who presented with life-threatening epistaxis one week after a surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) followed by activation of a transpalatal distractor. Definitive treatment was superselective, catheter-directed, glue-embolisation of a bleeding bilobar pseudoaneurysm, which was located at an end branch of the left sphenopalatine artery.

Periodontal side effects of rapid and slow maxillary expansion: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the scientific evidence that demonstrates which of the transverse maxillary treatments has the least effect on periodontal tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey were searched without restrictions. A hand search was also carried out in the reference lists of the articles selected. The related articles tool in the PubMed database was checked for each article included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool for randomized clinical trials and the ROBINS-I tool for nonrandomized studies of interventions. The GRADE tool was used to assess the quality of the evidence. RESULTS: After examination of the full texts, three studies were finally included. Two studies used a Haas expander with different protocols, and one study used a Haas expander compared with a quad-helix appliance. These studies evaluated periodontal parameters and periodontal indices by clinical examination with a millimeter probe, and one study examined computed tomography images. After quality assessment, two studies were considered as having a "low" risk of bias. One study was scored as having a moderate risk of bias. The evidence was graded as moderate quality for alveolar bone level, tooth displacement, and inclination and very low for all other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences to enable a sound conclusion about which type of maxillary expansion has the least periodontal side effects.

Effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion on nasal structures and breathing: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to determine the effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on breathing and upper airway structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search of the scientific literature from January 2005 to June 2016 was done using Web of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and PubMed databases. A combination of search terms "rapid maxillary expansion", "nasal", "airway" and "breathing" were used. Studies that involved surgical or combined RME-surgical treatments and patients with craniofacial anomalies were excluded. RESULTS: The initial screening yielded a total of 183 articles. After evaluation of the titles, abstracts and accessing the full text, a total of 20 articles fulfilled both inclusion/exclusion criteria and possessed adequate evidence to be incorporated into this review. CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical RME was found to improve breathing, increase nasal cavity geometry and decrease nasal airway resistance in children and adolescents.

Wooden spatula sinusitis following maxillary expansion surgery.

Sinusitis is a recognised rare complication of palatine expansion procedures and is usually caused by the presence of an oroantral fistula. We report the first case of unilateral sinusitis as a result of a retained foreign body (a wooden spatula) following a surgically assisted rapid palatine expansion procedure.

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of bone plate and root length after maxillary expansion using tooth-borne and tooth-tissue-borne banded expanders.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this research was to evaluate the buccal bone plate and root length of maxillary permanent first molars using cone-beam computed tomography after maxillary expansion with different activation protocols. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images of growing patients were obtained from the orthodontic department of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. The groups were Haas-type 2/4 turns, Haas-type 4/4 turns, hyrax-type 2/4 turns, and hyrax-type with alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions (alt-RAMEC) 4/4 turns a day. Tooth length, periodontal insertion, alveolar bone thickness, and intermolar distances were evaluated. The data at the start of treatment and 6 months later were compared using generalized linear models. The intergroup differences were determined by univariate analysis of variance with the Bonferroni adjustment. RESULTS: Tooth length was significantly shortened after expansion in all groups (-0.28 to -0.51 mm), except for the alt-RAMEC group. Bone level variables (bone level and bone level at the tooth tip) changed statistically in all groups, except for the Haas 4/4 turns group. There was significant periodontal attachment loss after rapid maxillary expansion with the hyrax/alt-RAMEC (5.09 mm). The hyrax/alt-RAMEC and hyrax groups had more dehiscences, fenestrations, and exposures of the root. CONCLUSIONS: The consequence of rapid maxillary expansion using the hyrax was alveolar bone resorption, especially in the hyrax/alt-RAMEC group, whereas the Haas expander caused mild root resorption.

Short-term impact of rapid maxillary expansion on ectopically and normally erupting canines.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term impact of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the eruption paths of ectopically and normally erupting maxillary canines in the mixed dentition. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with 49 ectopically erupting canines (EEC group; age, 9.53 ± 1.10 years) and 18 patients with 27 normally erupting canines (NEC group; age, 9.25 ± 1.06 years) underwent RME. Thirty-six subjects with 54 normally erupting canines composed the untreated control group (UC group; age, 9.03 ± 0.72 years). Horizontal, vertical, and angular positions of canines and adjacent teeth were evaluated in the expanded (EEC and NEC groups) and unexpanded (UC group) patients using panoramic radiographs taken at 2 times with a 1-year interval. The radiographic evaluation methods included score ranking and proportional measurements to minimize panoramic radiograph limitations. Statistical comparisons were performed among the groups (P <0.05). RESULTS: Before expansion, the EEC group's canines were significantly closer to the midline, more distant from the occlusal plane, and more mesially angulated than those in the UC group. After expansion, the canine positions in the EEC and UC groups were similar, whereas the NEC group had a more favorable canine position for eruption. The EEC and NEC groups showed similar canine positional changes, whereas the UC group had the smallest changes. The positions of teeth adjacent to the canine were also significantly affected by RME, and these changes may be associated with improvement of the ectopic canine position. CONCLUSIONS: The changes produced by RME reduced the percentage of ectopic eruption paths and maintained the nonectopic eruption percentage.

Comparison of effectiveness of quad helix appliance with other slow maxillary expanders in children with posterior crossbite: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The present review was conducted to compare the effectiveness of Quad Helix (QH) appliance with other slow maxillary expanders in children with posterior crossbite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled clinical trials and retrospective studies published between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2016, were identified from MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the National Institutes of Health Trials, Clinical Trials Registry India, Google Scholar and major journals. After a comprehensive search, the articles were independently screened for eligibility by two reviewers. All cross-reference lists of the selected studies were screened for any additional papers. RESULTS: The preliminary screening consisted of 608 articles, of which 33 articles were selected. A final total of only 9 articles were included as they met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the nine papers, four articles clearly state that QH appliance was a more effective appliance, while the remaining five studies suggest that the maxillary expansion caused by QH is comparable to other slow maxillary expansion appliances. Of the nine included articles, four articles also describe the complications of QH in comparison to other slow maxillary expansion devices. CONCLUSION: The QH appliance is a viable alternative for the correction of posterior crossbite. The QH appliance is comparable to or even better than other slow maxillary expanders in terms of maxillary expansion while being cost-effective with very few complications.

Bone-borne surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: A retrospective three-dimensional evaluation of the asymmetry in expansion.

PURPOSE: Asymmetrical expansion occurs in patients treated with Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion (SARME). In the clinical setting, this asymmetrical expansion is seen in multiple directions. However, the frequency, actual directions and amount of asymmetry are unclear. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze the directions and amount of asymmetrical lateral expansion in non-syndromic patients with transversal maxillary hypoplasia on employing bone-borne transpalatal distraction by means of SARME. Treatment involved corticotomies of all four bony supports, including pterygomaxillary disjunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series was formed from patients treated with SARME. Pre- and postdistraction Cone Beam Computed Tomography scans were superimposed. A reference frame was created to analyze lateral expansion asymmetries in five directions. RESULTS: Clinical relevant asymmetries (>3.0 mm) in at least one of the investigated directions occurred in 55% of the patients. Lateral expansion asymmetries occurred mostly in the inferior-anterior part between the left and right segment and asymmetry in total expansion was noted between the anterior and posterior part of the maxilla. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the clinical suspicion that using SARME with a bone-borne distractor and pterygomaxillary disjunction to treat non-syndromic patients with transversal maxillary hypoplasia, results in regular asymmetrical lateral expansion.