Patient-reported outcomes of slow vs rapid miniscrew-supported maxillary expansion in adolescents: secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

Skeletal and dentoalveolar modifications in adults with different sagittal facial patterns after personalized miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion: A prospective cone-beam computed tomography study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to compare the skeletal and dental modifications in adults with different sagittal facial patterns by a personalized miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander (pMARPE).

METHODS

Forty subjects (aged 18-28 years; 15 females and 25 males) with maxillary transverse deficiency were assigned to 1 of 3 groups (Class I, II, and III relationship) on the basis of their sagittal facial patterns. Each patient was treated with an individually customized expander. A similar expansion protocol was used for all patients. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were obtained before and after expansion. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze differences among 3 groups in skeletal, dentoalveolar, and periodontal changes (P <0.05).

RESULTS

The success rates of expansion were higher in patients with a Class I or II relationship than those with a Class III relationship. Patients with a Class I or II relationship had greater changes in the anterior nasal spine and maxillary basal bone widths. A more parallel sutural opening in the anteroposterior direction was seen in those with a Class II relationship. The tipping of the maxillary first molar increased, and the buccal alveolar bone thickness decreased in all groups after expansion, especially in patients with a Class III relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

The pMARPE effectively split the midpalatal suture among adults. However, midpalatal suture expansion was more difficult, and there were more dentoalveolar side effects and fewer orthopedic effects in patients with a Class III relationship than in those with Class I or II relationships.

Unusual systemic and nondental effects of maxillary expansion therapy: A comprehensive and updated review of literature

In dental practice, pediatric patients with a wide range of manifestations of malocclusion viz. crossbite, dental crowding, and skeletal Class III due to transverse discrepancy of the abnormally constricted maxilla or palate are found. However, the dental management of such kind of malocclusion with narrow palate needs a meticulous dental evaluation. Appliances used for treating such malocclusion conditions may include Slow-Maxillary Expansion (SME) or Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) orthodontic or orthopedic appliances. Considerable success has been described in the literature using the maxillary/palatal expansion modality. Unusual systemic and nondental effects of expansion appliances therapy have been described in some scientific studies. However, no comprehensive review article has been published describing the nondental and systemic effects of RME/SME therapy in Pediatric Dentistry. Considering the above scenarios, the updated and comprehensive review of the relevant literature is necessary for health professionals. Dental professionals including pediatric dentists and orthodontists need to consider such untoward or unexpected effects of RME/SME treatment modality. Hence, the current comprehensive review article has been written with the aim to meticulously describe the relevant scientific literature about nondental/extraoral and systemic effects of RME/SME appliances.

Dimensional changes of upper airway after slow vs rapid miniscrew-supported maxillary expansion in adolescents: a cone-beam computed tomography study

BACKGROUND

To date, the effects of different activation rates of miniscrew-supported expanders on the airway have not been compared. Hence, the purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare the effects of slow and rapid miniscrew-supported maxillary expansion on the upper airway dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

Data of 20 patients (Age 12 to 16 years old) treated using miniscrew-supported expanders at the Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University was collected. The patients were equally divided into two groups according to the activation protocol; slow maxillary expansion (SME): activation once every other day, and rapid maxillary expansion (RME): activation twice daily. CBCT scans obtained pre-expansion and 5 months post-expansion were used to evaluate the changes in the upper airway dimensions. Comparisons between the two time points within each group were done using paired samples t-test. SME and RME groups were compared using independent samples t-test. Significance level was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Both groups showed a significant increase in anterior, middle, and posterior nasal cavity width. SME resulted in significantly greater increase of the anterior nasal cavity width than RME (Mean difference between the groups, 2.64 mm; 95% CI, 0.83, 4.45; p = 0.007). The dimensions of the retropalatal and retroglossal airways did not change significantly in either group. Both groups resulted in a significant increase of maxillary width, palatal width, and inter-molar width. RME showed a significantly larger increase of inter-molar width than SME (Mean difference between the groups, - 2.44 mm; 95% CI, - 3.88, - 1.00; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of either a slow or rapid activation protocol is effective in expanding the nasomaxillary complex, with greater expansion achieved in the anterior section of the nasal cavity using the slow rate. However, the expander design employed in the current study does not affect the dimensions of the retropalatal or retroglossal airways.