Skeletal Expansion with GSR Expander

This article reports two cases treated with a modified Miniscrew Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE) that was fabricated in-office. Two female patients aged 15 years and 18 years were treated for maxillary expansion. An in-office modified GSR Expander was used. The appliance was secured in the patient’s maxillary arch using four miniscrews. Expansion was carried out for 4 weeks and 2 weeks respectively. Considerable opening of mid palatal suture with skeletal expansion was observed. An economical and effective alternative to stock made MARPE with better adaptability and clinical modifiability.

Short-term skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of overexpansion:

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate whether the amount of rapid maxillary expansion differentially affects the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes that occur. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled trial included 23 patients who had rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Subjects were randomly assigned to a conventional expansion control group (n = 12) or an overexpansion group (n = 11), who started treatment at 13.2 ± 1.5 and 13.8 ± 1 years of age, respectively. Cone beam computed tomography scans (11 cm) were obtained prior to rapid maxillary expander (RME) delivery and approximately 3.7 months later. Initial hand-wrist radiographs were used to determine the participants' skeletal maturity. Results The RME screws were activated 5.6 ± 1.2 mm and 10.1 ± 0.6 mm in the conventional and overexpansion groups, respectively. Overexpansion produced significantly greater expansion of the nasal cavity (2.1X–2.5X), maxillary base (2.3X), buccal alveolar crest (1.4X), and greater palatine foramina (1.9X). Significantly greater intermolar width increases (1.8X) and molar inclination (2.8X) changes were also produced. The nasal cavity and maxillary base expanded 23%–32% as much as the screws were activated. Skeletal expansion was positively correlated with RME screw activation (R = 0.61 to 0.70) and negatively correlated (R = −0.56 to −0.64) with the patients' skeletal maturation indicators (SMIs). Together, screw activation and the patients' SMI scores explained 48%–66% of the variation in skeletal expansion. Conclusions This pilot study shows that overexpansion produces greater changes than conventional expansion, with greater skeletal effects among less mature patients.

CBCT Comparison of Dentoskeletal Effects of Haas-Type and Hyrax-Type Expanders Using Deciduous Teeth as Anchorage: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study was to compare the three-dimensional dentoskeletal effects of Haas-type and Hyrax-type expanders using primary teeth as anchorage for rapid palatal expansion (RPE). Thirty-four subjects in mixed dentition were divided according to their expander’s type: Hyrax (n = 16; 6F, 10M; mean age 8 ± 3 years) or Haas (n = 18; 14F, 4M; mean age 8 ± 2 years). Each patient underwent CBCTs before (T0) and after RPE (T1). Dentoskeletal changes were collected. A paired sample t-test and independent t-test were used to compare each variable within the same group and between groups, respectively, with a 5% significance. The Hyrax group showed an increase in all dentoskeletal parameters; skeletal expansion was significantly increased anteriorly (1.76 mm) and posteriorly (1.93 mm). The greatest dental expansion was observed in the anchorage unit (6.47 mm), about twice as much as permanent molars (3.42 mm). The same statistical significance of Haas group measurements was observed; anteriorly skeletal expansion (2.97 mm) was greater than posteriorly (1.93 mm) and dental expansion was greater on anchored teeth (6.80 mm) than non-anchored teeth (4.57 mm). No statistical significance was observed between Hyrax and Hass groups. CBCT analysis showed that, in RPE, the dental expansion was greater than skeletal expansion. No significant or clinical changes were observed between Hyrax and Haas appliances anchored to primary teeth.

MODERN PERSPECTIVES ON RAPID PALATAL EXPANSION

Maxillary deficiency in the transverse dimension is a common problem in children. The conventional management of such malocclusion is with conventional rapid maxillary expansion. The beneficial effects of such an orthodontic therapy are explained in detail in the literature. But there are also negative effects of conventional rapid maxillary expansion. Thus, the improvements in the methods of expansion has led to discovery of miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion. The miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion are supported by mini implants and thus enable better skeletal expansion of maxilla. This article will discuss the favourable effects, negative effects, and clinical uses of conventional and miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion.

Effectiveness of Dental and Maxillary Transverse Changes in Tooth-Borne, Bone-Borne, and Hybrid Palatal Expansion through Cone-Beam Tomography: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background and Objectives: Palatal expansion is a common orthodontic technique able to increase the transverse changes for subjects with constricted maxillary arches. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate through a systematic review the tomography effectiveness of different palatal expander approaches. Materials and Methods: The database used to perform the screening and determine the eligibility of the clinical papers was PubMed (Medline). Results: The database search included a total of 284 results, while 271 articles were excluded. A total of 14 articles were included for the qualitative assessment. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the present studies reported that skeletal expansion was a useful approach to increase the transverse changes for subjects with constricted maxillary arches.