Changes of the maxillary width and upper airway spaces in young adults after the surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion with surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy

Publication date: Available online 22 November 2018

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Panpan Liu, Delong Jiao, Xiaoya Wang, Jing Liu, Domingo Martin, Jing Guo

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate the changes of the maxillary width and upper airway spaces in young adults after the surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) combined with surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy (SFOT) with the maxillary transverse deficiency.

Study Design

Twenty subjects (11 males, 9 females, mean age 25.1 ± 6.3 years old) with the maxillary transverse deficiency were recruited. An expander was placed on premolars and first molars. Cone-beam CT images were performed before treatment and after a 3-month retention period. The measurements were done based on CBCT images using Dolphin Imaging 3D software. The paired sample t-test was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The intermolar width and the buccal tipping of the upper first molars exhibited significant increase (P<0.001). The volume and the minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) increased significantly (P <0.05). The right-left diameter of MCA increased from 21.15 to 25.48 mm (P<0.001), while the anterior-posterior diameter of MCA did not change significantly (P >0.05).

Conclusion

Widening of a transverse maxillary deficiency after SARPE with SFOT improves upper airway spaces in young adults.

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