Dentoalveolar changes after surgically assisted maxillary expansion: a three-dimensional evaluation

Objectives. Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) is a common procedure to correct maxillary transverse deficiency of > 5 mm in patients with closed midpalatal suture. The aim of this study was to three-dimensionally analyze skeletal and dentoalveolar changes after SARPE. Study design. Eighteen mature patients ( mean age 26 years) with a palatal transverse deficiency underwent SARPE. The surgical procedure consisted of a lateral osteotomy combined with an interradicular osteotomy between the roots of the upper central incisors. Measuring points were defined on teeth as well as facial skeleton. Computerized tomography scans were performed preoperatively and immediately after the expansion period. Results. Changes of the dentoalveolar and maxillofacial complex were analyzed. Conclusions. Bilateral osteotomy combined with a sagittal osteotomy between the roots of the upper central incisors is a safe method of surgically assisted maxillary expansion. The amount of dentoalveolar tipping was smaller than reported in literature. The expansion was mostly achieved by maxillary expansion. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 107: 36-42)