Transverse effects of rapid maxillary expansion in Class II malocclusion patients: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) transversal responses, immediately and after the retention period, to rapid maxillary expansion (RME), in Class II malocclusion patients. Methods: Seventeen children (mean initial age of 10.36 years), with Class II malocclusion and skeletal constricted maxilla, underwent Haas ́ protocol for RME. CBCT scans were taken before treatment (T1), at the end of the active expansion phase (T2) and after the retention period of six months (T3). The scans were managed in Dolphin software, where landmarks were marked and measured, on a coronal slice passing through the upper first molar. The paired Student ́s t-test was used to identify significant differences (p<0.05) between T2 and T1, T3 and T2, and T3 and T1. Results: Immediately after RME, the mean increase in maxillary basal, alveolar and dental width was 1.95 mm, 4.30 mm and 6.89 mm, respectively. This was accompanied by buccal inclination of the right (7.31°) and left (6.46°) first molars. At the end of the retention period, the entire transverse dimension increased was maintained and the dentoalveolar inclination resumed. Conclusions: The RME therapy was an effective procedure to increase transverse maxillary dimensions, at both skeletal and dentoalveolar levels, without causing inclination on anchorage molars in Class II malocclusion patients with skeletal constricted maxilla. Abstract