A cone beam CT evaluation of the maxillary dento skeletal complex after rapid palatal expansion

UnrestrictedIntroduction: Rapid Palatal Expanders (RPEs) have routinely been used to correct transverse deficiencies in the maxilla but their effects on the dento-alveolus are uncertain. Purpose: To compare the Cone-Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) scan measurements between patients with RPE and controls to determine transverse dimension increases and the amount of alveolar and dental tipping. Methods: 25 patients who required RPE treatment and 25 gender-and-age matched controls were orthodontically treated and received CBCT scans at the beginning and progress of treatment. Transverse widths and several angulations were measured and matched paired t-tests conducted. Results: RPE treatment produced a significantincrease in all measured transverse dimensions. Alveolar and absolute dental tipping was significantly different between cases and controls (both with p< 0.001) while relative dental tipping was not (p = 0.897).Conclusions: RPE treatment increases the transverse dimensions of the maxilla, and causes significant amount of tip in the alveolus and absolute tooth angulation