Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion with bone-borne versus tooth-borne distraction appliances—a systematic review

Complications of Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary/Palatal Expansion (SARME/SARPE)-A Retrospective Analysis of 185 Cases Treated at a Single Center

Objectives: The study aims to assess and classify complications in patients treated for maxillary transverse deficiency using surgically assisted rapid maxillary/palatal expansion (SARME/SARPE) under general anesthesia. The classification of the complications aimed to assess the difficulty of their treatment as well as estimate its real cost. Methods: The retrospective study covered 185 patients who underwent surgery for a skeletal deformity in the form of maxillary constriction or in which maxillary constriction was one of its components treated by a team of maxillofacial surgeons at one center (97 females and 88 males, aged 15 to 47 years, mean age 26.1 years). Complications were divided into two groups: early complications (up to 3 weeks after surgery) and late complications (>3 weeks after surgery). In relation to the occurrence of complications, we analyzed the demographic characteristics of the group, type of skeletal deformity (class I, II, III), presence of open bite and asymmetry, surgical technique, type and size of appliance used for maxillary expansion, as well as the duration of surgery. Results: In the study group, complications were found in 18 patients (9.73%). Early complications were found in nine patients, while late complications were also found in nine patients. Early complications include no possibility of distraction, palatal mucosa necrosis, perforation of the maxillary alveolar process caused by the distractor and asymmetric distraction. Late complications include maxillary incisor root resorption, no bone formation in the distraction gap, and maxillary incisor necrosis. None of the patients required prolonged hospitalization and only one required reoperation. Conclusions: Complications were found in 18 patients (9.73%). All challenges were classified as minor difficulties since they did not suppress the final outcome of the treatment of skeletal malocclusion. However, the complications that did occur required additional corrective measures. Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion, when performed properly and in correlation with the correct orthodontic treatment protocol, is an effective and predictable technique for treating maxillary constriction.

Exploring the relationship between the number of systematic reviews and quality of evidence: an orthognathic surgery-based study

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the quality and quantity of systematic reviews (SRs) of orthognathic surgery, the most frequently published topic in maxillofacial surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched the PubMed database for SRs of orthognathic surgery with no restriction on the language of publication date. We assessed the certainty of evidence presented according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol and the Leiden Manifesto using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, Pearson´s correlation test, and linear regression.

RESULTS

Of the 171 SRs evaluated, approximately one fifth presented evidence with a high level of certainty. The number of orthognathic surgery SRs has been increasing, and many SRs were published after very similar topics had already been published. There is no relationship between the impact factor and the certainty of evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

An excessive number of SRs of orthognathic surgery are published, and many SRs are superfluous, simply reporting previous findings. Clinicians should not base treatment decisions solely on the evidence presented in SRs, and journal editors and reviewers should evaluate these SRs more critically, particularly when they address topics that have already been covered in the literature.

Dental, Skeletal, and Soft Tissue Changes after Bone-Borne Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: For non-growing patients with marked transverse maxillary deficiency, bone-borne surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) has been proposed as an effective treatment option. Objective: To evaluate the dental, skeletal, and soft tissue changes following bone-borne SARME. (2) Methods: An unrestricted systematic electronic search of six databases, supplemented by manual searches, was performed up to April 2023. The eligibility criteria included prospective/retrospective clinical studies with outcomes pertaining to objective measurements of dental/skeletal/soft tissue effects of bone-borne SARME in healthy patients. (3) Results: Overall, 27 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias of the non-randomized trials ranged between moderate (20) and serious (4). For the two RCTs, there were some concerns of bias. Trials with outcomes measured at the same landmarks within the scope of the prespecified timeframe were deemed eligible for quantitative synthesis. Eventually, five trials were included in the meta-analysis. SARME was associated with a statistically significant lengthening of the dental arch perimeter immediately after expansion, along with a marginally significant decrease in palatal depth during the post-SARME retention period. Post-treatment SNA values exhibited no statistically significant change. (4) Conclusion: Current evidence indicates that bone-borne SARME constitutes an effective treatment option for adult patients with maxillary transverse deficiency. Further long-term randomized clinical trials with robust methodology, large sample sizes, and 3D evaluation of the outcomes are needed.

Non-Surgical Transversal Dentoalveolar Compensation with Completely Customized Lingual Appliances versus Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion in Adults-Tipping or Translation in Posterior Crossbite Correction?

The aim of this study was to investigate buccolingual tooth movements (tipping/translation) in surgical and nonsurgical posterior crossbite correction. A total of 43 patients (f/m 19/24; mean age 27.6 ± 9.5 years) treated with surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) and 38 patients (f/m 25/13; mean age 30.4 ± 12.9 years) treated with dentoalveolar compensation using completely customized lingual appliances (DC-CCLA) were retrospectively included. Inclination was measured on digital models at canines (C), second premolars (P2), first molars (M1), and second molars (M2) before (T₀) and after (T₁) crossbite correction. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in absolute buccolingual inclination change between both groups, except for the upper C (p < 0.05), which were more tipped in the surgical group. Translation, i.e., bodily tooth movements that cannot be explained by pure uncontrolled tipping, could be observed with SARPE in the maxilla and with DC-CCLA in both jaws. Dentoalveolar transversal compensation with completely customized lingual appliances does not cause greater buccolingual tipping compared to SARPE.

Basic auditory processing and its relationship with symptoms in patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review

Processing of basic auditory features, one of the earliest stages of auditory perception, has been the focus of considerable investigations in schizophrenia. Although numerous studies have shown abnormalities in pitch perception in schizophrenia, other basic auditory features such as intensity, duration, and sound localization have been less explored. Additionally, the relationship between basic auditory features and symptom severity shows inconsistent results, preventing concrete conclusions. Our aim was to present a comprehensive overview of basic auditory processing in schizophrenia and its relationship with symptoms. We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies exploring auditory perception in schizophrenia compared to controls, with at least one behavioral task investigating basic auditory processing using pure tones. Forty-one studies were included. The majority investigated pitch processing while the others investigated intensity, duration and sound localization. The results revealed that patients have a significant deficit in the processing of all basic auditory features. Although the search for a relationship with symptoms was limited, auditory hallucinations experience appears to have an impact on basic auditory processing. Further research may examine correlations with clinical symptoms to explore the performance of patient subgroups and possibly implement remediation strategies.

Non-Surgical Transversal Dentoalveolar Compensation with Completely Customized Lingual Appliances versus Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion in Adults-The Amount of Posterior Crossbite Correction

The aim of this study was to compare the crossbite correction of a group (n = 43; f/m 19/24; mean age 27.6 ± 9.5 years) with surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) versus a non-surgical transversal dentoalveolar compensation (DC) group (n = 38; f/m 25/13; mean age 30.4 ± 12.9 years) with completely customized lingual appliances (CCLA). Arch width was measured on digital models at the canines (C), second premolars (P2), first molars (M1) and second molars (M2). Measurements were obtained before treatment (T0) and at the end of lingual treatment (T1) or after orthodontic alignment prior to a second surgical intervention for three-dimensional bite correction. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the amount of total crossbite correction between the SARPE and DC-CCLA group at C, P2, M1 and M2. Maxillary expansion was greater in the SARPE group and mandibular compression was greater in the DC-CCLA group. Crossbite correction in the DC-CCLA group was mainly a combination of maxillary expansion and mandibular compression. Dentoalveolar compensation with CCLAs as a combination of maxillary expansion and mandibular compression seems to be a clinically effective procedure to correct a transverse maxillo-mandibular discrepancy without the need for surgical assistance.

Fractal Perspective on the Rapid Maxillary Expansion Treatment; Evaluation of the Relationship Between Midpalatal Suture Opening and Dental Effects

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study investigates the relationship between the midpalatal suture opening and the dental effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) treatment using fractal analysis.

METHODS

The participants of this study were selected from the patients who underwent Cone Beam Computed Tomography(CBCT) scans in 2019 and were treated with banded type Maxillary Expander. This study included 20 participants (with a mean age of 10.64±10.64, ranging from 8 to 13 years): 12 males and 8 females. Patients went through CBCT scan and images taken were analyzed using the ImageJ program. The following parameters were measured and analyzed before and after RME treatment: fractal dimensional value of Midpalatal suture(MPS), Distobuccal(DB), Mesiobuccal(MB), Palatal(P), Total distance, Cortical bone and linear values of External maxilla, Internal maxilla, Palatal roots, distance of Central fosses and angular values of Tipping value of 16 and 26. We used Spearman's nonparametric test for non-normal variables to investigate the correlation between changes in MPS and other variables.

RESULTS

The results showed a strong positive correlation between the MPS and Right MB (0.34, p<0.05) and Left MB (0.59, p<0.05) variables and a strong negative correlation between the MPS and the External maxillary variables (-0.53, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study have shown a strong correlation between right and left MB and External Maxilla. RME caused a reduction in buccal alveolar bone thickness and a slight reduction in MPS thickness in growing patients. Therefore, we suggest that fractal analysis can be used to evaluate the skeletal and dental effects of RME in patients.

Three-segment versus 2-segment surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion

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.

Stability and surgical complications of tooth-borne and bone-borne appliances in surgical assisted rapid maxillary expansion: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the stability and complications of tooth-borne (TB), bone-borne (BB) and hybrid (TB-BB) appliances in surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). Database searches were conducted (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and SciELO), as well as a grey literature search (Google Scholar) and hand searches of reference lists. Forty-six articles were included after study selection (κ=0.854). After eligibility assessment, 16 articles and one article from the grey literature were processed (κ=0.866) and six articles were selected by hand searching, for a total of 23 articles included. Regarding stability, TB appliances showed width relapse rates ranging from 4 to 35% in canines, from 1 to 37% in premolars and from 0.2 to 49.5% in molars. In BB appliances, width relapse rates were 1.7-21% in canines, 1.5% in premolars and 4.6-11.5% in molars. In hybrid appliances, the width relapse rate was 14% in premolars, with a 1.8% overexpansion reported in the molar region. In TB and BB appliances, skeletal relapse rates were similar on the nasal floor (11-53% and 41.6%, respectively) and at the level of the maxilla (18% and 16%, respectively). The most common complications were bone resorption in TB appliances (18.14%) and appliance-related complications in BB appliances (17.9%). The risk of bias was high in 19 studies, medium in three studies and low in one study. The TB and BB appliances used in SARME were considered to have a high long-term stability. BB appliances appeared to have fewer relapses than TB appliances due to a more parallel distribution of forces exerted. However, relapse appears to be highly influenced by postorthodontic treatments, where arch-form coordination is achieved in the consolidation period with the purpose of overexpansion correction, alignment and final vertical adjustments. Further randomised controlled trials with long-term data and large sample sizes are needed to support evidence-based clinical decision-making and to allow meta-analytic studies of stability outcomes regarding the type of anchorage in SARME.

The stability of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME): A systematic review

BACKGROUND

This systematic review was conducted to determine the stability of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) for correction of transverse maxillary deficiency, the effect of distractor type (tooth-borne vs. bone-borne) and the influence of a retainer on post-expansion stability.

METHODS

The review was conducted applying the PICO criteria. Electronic database searches of published literature (MEDLINE via PubMed), Ovid via MEDLINE, the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trial Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, (CENTRAL) and unpublished literature were accessed until January 2019. Search terms included SARME, 'stability', 'relapse', 'surgery', 'expansion' and 'maxillary expansion'.

RESULTS

Five hundred and ten studies were identified overall and 15 studies were included (3 RCTs, 2 prospective & 10 retrospective) following initial screening and data extraction of full texts. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for prospective & retrospective studies. The heterogeneity of the retrieved articles prohibited quantitative analysis. Overall, the studies were either of high risk of bias or low quality. Qualitative analysis reveals SARPE to achieve expansion at the inter-canine region of 4-for inter 6 mm, inter-molar region of 6-8.9 mm, and skeletal level of 2.3-3.1 mm with relapse rates in the region of 0.1-2.3 mm (inter-canine), 0.2-3 mm (inter-molar) and 0-1.8 mm (skeletal) reported.

CONCLUSION

Qualitative evaluation suggests SARPE results in significant expansion at the dental and skeletal level and that this appears to be stable. Existing literature is equivocal on the clinical benefits of a retention device or distractor type (bone-borne vs. tooth borne) on stability. This review has unearthed the need for high quality prospective RCTs to fully understand the stability of SARME, particularly with relation to varying distractor types and use of retention devices. As such, the inferences drawn should be considered with some discretion based on the quality of the available evidence.

Is There a Significant Difference in Relapse and Complication Rate of Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion Using Tooth-Borne, Bone-Borne, and Orthodontic Mini-Implant-Borne Appliances?

PURPOSE

For surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE), studies comparing different devices are missing. The aim was to evaluate expansion, relapse, and the complication rates for 3 different appliances.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, tooth-borne (TB, n = 29), bone-borne (BB, n = 12), or orthodontic mini-implant (OMI)-borne (n = 13) appliances were used for SARPE in 2 clinical centers. Patients presenting with a maxillary width discrepancy greater than 5 mm were included. Measurements of cast models and radiographs were performed preoperatively, immediately after consolidation, and at 1 year postoperatively. All distances were measured between canines, premolars, and molars. Complications (tooth damage, infection, technical failure) were evaluated. The outcome variables were expansion, relapse, and complications. Type of appliance was selected as predictor variable. Within- and between-group differences regarding expansion, relapse, and complications for the 3 appliances were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

In 54 patients (aged 28.8 ± 8.6 years), mean expansion (±standard deviation) for the TB, BB, and OMI appliances immediately after consolidation was 5.29 ± 1.39 mm, 5.22 ± 1.72 mm, and 3.81 ± 2.19 mm, respectively, at the dental level, and 5.51 ± 1.40 mm, 4.66 ± 2.03 mm, and 3.51 ± 1.66 mm, respectively, at the bone level. Mean (±standard deviation) relapse for the TB, BB, and OMI appliances at 1 year postoperatively measured 1.44 ± 1.01 mm, 0.76 ± 1.37 mm, and 0.27 ± 1.63 mm, respectively, at the tooth level and 1.19 ± 0.93 mm, 0.71 ± 0.96 mm, and 0.12 ± 1.56 mm, respectively, at the bone level. Analysis of variance and the Tukey test showed significant differences between the TB and OMI appliances for expansion and relapse (P = .034 and P = .024, respectively). The overall complication rate differed significantly (P < .001), with rates of 17.2%, 66.7%, and 15.4% for the TB, BB, and OMI appliances, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

BB and OMI appliances resulted in less relapse. Owing to the high complication rate, the further use of BB appliances is questionable.

Is the buccal alveolar bone less affected by mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion than by conventional rapid palatal expansion?-A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the existing literature comparing mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) and conventional rapid palatal expansion (RPE) regarding the effect on the buccal alveolar bone thickness (BT) and marginal bone level (BL).

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Virtual Health Library, Embase, Ovid, LIVIVO, CINAHL, the Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Google Scholar and SIGLE were searched up to January 2020. Risk of bias (RoB) assessments were performed using the Cochrane Collaboration and ROBINS-I tools. Fixed-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean differences (SMD) was implemented to assess the pooled estimates for the BT outcome. The analyses were performed adopting a significance level of 5%. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarize the results on the BL. The GRADE tool was used to assess the quality of the evidence.

RESULTS

Three randomized clinical trials and one retrospective study were included. Only one study was rated as with low RoB, while the others were scored as with moderate to serious RoB. Limited evidence indicated that patients using conventional RPE had a greater loss of the BT compared to patients using MARPE (SMD = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.29-0.80; P < .0001). Subgroup analyses showed that differences were significant in both premolars' regions, right (SMD = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.24-1.25; P = .004) and left (SMD = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.52-1.57; P < .0001), and these were not significant for the molars' regions (P > .05) (Low quality of evidence).

LIMITATIONS

Limited amount of selected papers, methodological issues that could lead to bias and high clinical heterogeneity among the studies. Due to the statistical model applied for the quantitative synthesis of the results, no generalization to any other population is recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited evidence suggests that MARPE could decrease the loss of the buccal alveolar bone when compared to conventional RPE.