Objective

  The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare dental and skeletal changes in surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) patients with (+PP) and without (−PP) pterygomaxillary disjunction.

 Study Design

  The study casts of 18 maxillary constriction patients indicated for SARPE formed the sample of this retrospective review. The sample was divided into 2 groups. Twenty linear and 2 angular measurements were performed on the study models.

 Results

  All transversal measurements increased after expansion in both the +PP and −PP groups. The −PP group showed greater expansion at the midpalatal and gingival levels, while the +PP group exhibited a greater increase of 0.78 mm at the apical base level and 11.25° less tipping in the molar teeth. A greater expansion of nearly 0.7 mm was measured in the premolar region of the +PP group.

 Conclusions

  Both SARPE techniques resulted in significant maxillary expansion.

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

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