Three-dimensional evaluation of rapid maxillary expansion anchored to primary molars: direct effects on maxillary arch and spontaneous mandibular response

Authors

  • A Di Ventura Private practice, Teramo
  • V Lanteri Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • G Farronato Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • F Gaffuri Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
  • M Beretta Private practice, Alessandria
  • C Lanteri Private practice, Alessandria
  • G Cossellu Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.01.08

Keywords:

Crossbite, Crowding, 3-D Imaging, Maxillary Expansion, Palatal Expansion Technique, Torque

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on maxillary and mandibular arch in the mixed dentition. MATERIALS: Forty-four consecutive patients with transverse maxillary deficiency were recruited. Test group: 21 patients (10 male, 11 female; 7.4 ± 1.2 years) who underwent RME (Haas type) therapy banded on the primary second molars. Control group: 17 patients (10 male, 7 female; 7.3 ± 1.1 years old) who did not receive any orthodontic treatment. Dental casts obtained pre-treatment and after appliance removal (11 months) were processed by means of a three-dimensional scanner (3Shape D250 laser, DK). Digital landmarks were traced using the VAM software (Canfield Scientific Inc., Fairfield-NJ, USA). Arch Length, interdental width and torque differences were measured before and after the removal of the appliance. The t-test (P<0.05) for paired data was applied to evaluate the measurements values before and after treatment. The linear regression model was employed to assess the correlations between treatment effects. CONCLUSION: RME anchored on primary molars is an effective treatment option to correct tranverse maxillary deficiencies. All the measurements increased significantly confirming the indirect effect of RME on the mandibular arch.