OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort study tested the effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) on symmetrical volumetric changes in the nasal cavity. Volumetric changes in overall nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and oropharynx were also assessed as well as minimum cross-sectional width changes and molar angulation in association with RME. METHODS: CBCT scans of before and after RME treatment for 28 subjects (17 females, 11 males, average age 9.85 ± 2.42 years) were collected from a previously de-identified database. All subjects were treated for maxillary constriction using banded hyrax expanders. Mimics software was utilized to segment the nasal and pharyngeal airways and create various compartments (left and right nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and oropharynx) for volumetric analysis. Minimum cross-sectional width measurements and maxillary first molar angulation were also assessed. Paired T-test was used to quantify the changes brought about by expansion. Statistical significance was set at the 0.05 level. RESULTS: Posterior expansion as measured between right and left greater palatine foramen (GPF) averaged 2.41 mm (SD = 1.03 mm). There were statistically significant differences in overall nasal cavity (2249.6 ± 2102.5 mm3), right nasal cavity (968.8 ± 1082.7), left nasal cavity (1197.3 ± 1587.0), nasopharyngeal (1000.6 ± 917.7), and oropharyngeal (2349.2 ± 2520.8) volumes. In comparing the right to left nasal cavity, no significant changes were noted for initial volume, post-expansion volume, or pre to post-expansion changes (T2-T1). For cross-sectional analysis, the right nasal cavity (0.13 ± 0.07 mm) and left nasal cavity (0.11 ± 0.06 mm) showed significant increases in minimum crosssectional width measurements. Initial maxillary molar angulation had no significant correlation to initial nasal cavity volume on either side. CONCLUSIONS: RME has significant benefits to increasing nasal and pharyngeal airway cavity volumes in all segments of the airway. Nasal cavity expands symmetrically. Minimum cross-sectional width of the left and right nasal cavities showed highly symmetrical improvements. Initial maxillary molar angulation has no relationship to initial nasal cavity volume.

A atresia maxilar é um quadro de desarranjo de desenvolvimento do arco dentário presente em diversos tipos de má oclusão, desde as alterações transversais mais simples e puras até as formas mais graves, contemplando as divergências verticais e sagitais. O diagnóstico desta atresia, muitas vezes, é simplificado na presença ou não de mordida cruzada posterior, sendo ela unilateral ou bilateral. No entanto, faz-se necessário uma avaliação mais criteriosa que compreenda não só a própria alteração de forma do arco dentário, mas também as modificações oclusais subsequentes, como relação sagital de classe II ou III de Angle ou as discrepâncias verticais. Uma das possíveis formas de tratamento ortodôntico está ligada as expansões rápidas da maxila, método de incrementos ósseos por meio de forças ortopédicas, quando o indivíduo ainda apresenta potencial de crescimento craniofacial, ou seja, crianças e adolescentes. Já na vida adulta, esta possibilidade de ganhos ortopédicos não mais está presente e a opção não cirúrgica é o tratamento ortodôntico compensatório, por meio de expansão dentoalveolar do arco maxilar. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os resultados de expansão dentoalveolar, obtidos utilizando-se o arco auxiliar de expansão em TMA (tungstênio, molibdênio e alloy), a partir de medidas lineares e angulares obtidas, bem como a integridade da cortical óssea vestibular desta área. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de análise de tomografias computadorizadas, contidas na documentação ortodôntica de 13 pacientes tratados em uma clínica particular, realizadas antes e após a realização desta mecânica de expansão dentoalveolar. Para esta expansão, estes pacientes foram submetidos à instalação de um sobre-arco utilizado por vestibular como um arco auxiliar, sendo justaposto e unido ao fio de nivelamento principal (0,017x0,025 Termoativado) em cinco pontos, sendo 2 pontos nas entradas do tubo dos primeiros molares, 2 pontos entre os pré-molares e 1 ponto entre os incisivos centrais, por meio de fio de amarrilho 0,010 aço. Os resultados apresentaram ganhos estatisticamente significantes para aumento da distância das cúspides ao plano vertical mediano de todos os dentes medidos, bem como aumento da inclinação vestibular destes. A cortical óssea demonstrou adaptação, tendo deslocamento na mesma direção do movimento dentário, porém em menor quantidade. O aumento transversal das distâncias inter-dentárias também apresentou aumentos significativos e condizentes com a literatura. Desta forma, o arco auxiliar de expansão demonstrou-se eficiente para expansão dentoalveolar no paciente adulto, por meio de aumento da inclinação vestibular, com deslocamento dentário maior que o movimento de crista óssea, apresentado ganhos transversais significantes. / The Maxillary constriction is a developmental disorder present in various types of malocclusion, from the most simple and pure transverse changes to the most severe forms, causing vertical and sagittal problems. This malocclusion diagnosis is often simplified in the presence or not of posterior crossbite, which can be uni or bilateral. However, a complete evaluation must include not only the dental arch form changes, but also the subsequent occlusal modifications, such as sagittal relationships of Class II or III malocclusions and vertical discrepancies. Maxillary constriction treatment can be performed by rapid maxillary expansion, using orthopedic forces when there is still craniofacial growth. In adults, the possibility of orthopedic changes is no longer present and the non-surgical option is compensatory orthodontic treatment with dentoalveolar expansion, when the disorder magnitude allows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dentoalveolar expansion, obtained with a TMA (tungsten and molybdenum alloy) auxiliary expansion archwire, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the integrity of the buccal cortical bone in the posterior area. A retrospective analysis of CT scans, of orthodontic records of 13 patients treated at a private clinic, performed immediately before and after the auxiliary expansion archwire, was used. For the expansion, the patients underwent installation of a secondary arch combined with the primary archwire (0.017x0.025-inch heatactivated Ni-Ti), ligated in five points. Two points in the first molar tube entries, 2 points between the premolars and 1 point between the central incisors, with a 0.010- inch steel ligature wire. The results showed statistically significant transverse increase and buccal inclination for all teeth. The cortical bone showed adaptability and displacement in the same direction of tooth movement, but in smaller amounts. Thus, the auxiliary expansion arch wire proved to be effective to correct dentoalveolar constriction in adult patients, by increasing the buccal dental inclination with larger displacements than the bone crest adaptation and with significant transverse gains.

INTRODUCTION: Utilization of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is common for the correction of sagittal discrepancies in orthodontic treatment. RME appliances will transmit a compressive force to the periodontal support structures. This resultant force can lead to resorption of the dento-alveolar structures leading to unwanted dental movements. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare changes from a periodontal and root resorption perspective by means of computer tomography with tooth-borne and bonded expanders. METHODS: The sample comprised of cone beam computed tomography and spiral CT images of 41 subjects, 12 to 17 years old, with unilateral or bilateral posterior crossbites. 20 subjects treated previously with a bonded expander and 21 with a banded expander. Pre and post-treatment images were digitized and landmarks were identified to measure buccal and lingual cortex thickness, alveolar height, root length and angulation by means of a computerized method. RESULTS: RME with banded and bonded expanders have similar effects from periodontal and root resorption perspectives. Changes include increasing thickness of lingual alveolar bone 0.2 to 0.7 mm, decreases in buccal bone width 0.1 to 0.5 mm; and decreases in alveolar height 0.1 to 0.9 mm and root length 0.3 to 1.0mm of each support teeth. CONCLUSIONS: RME with banded and bonded expanders exhibited similar changes post-expansion and these variables should not play a role in selection of the type of device.

No description available.

The purpose of this research was to compare skeletal and dental changes assessed by digital volumetric images produced during and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) between a bone-borne anchored expansion appliance and a conventional tooth-borne RME. Initial steps included the development of a methodology to analyze CBCT images. Reliability of traditional two dimensional (2D) cephalometric landmarks identified in CBCT images was explored, and new landmarks identifiable on the CBCT images were also evaluated. This methodology was later tested through a clinical trial with 62 patients where skeletal and dental changes found after maxillary expansion using either a bone-borne or tooth-borne maxillary expander and compared to a non-treated control group. The conclusions that were obtained from this thesis were that the NewTom 9” and 12” three dimensional (3D) images present a 1-to-1 ratio with real coordinates, linear and angular distances obtained by a coordinate measurement machine (CMM). Landmark intra- and inter-reliability (ICC) was high for all CBCT landmarks and for most of the 2D lateral cephalometric landmarks. Foramen Spinosum, foramen Ovale, foramen Rotundum and the Hypoglossal canal all provided excellent intra-observer reliability and accuracy. Midpoint between both foramen Spinosums (ELSA) presented a high intra-reliability and is an adequate landmark to be used as a reference point in 3D cephalometric analysis. ELSA, both AEM and DFM points presented a high intra-reliability when located on 3D images. Minor variations in location of these landmarks produced unacceptable uncertainty in coordinate system alignment. The potential error associated with location of distant landmarks is unacceptable for analysis of growth and treatment changes. Thus, an alternative is the use of vectors. Selection of landmarks for use in 3D image analysis should follow certain characteristics and modifications in their definitions should be applied. When measuring 3D maxillary complex structural changes during maxillary expansion treatments using CBCT, both tooth-anchored and bone-anchored expanders presented similar results. The greatest changes occurred in the transverse dimension while changes in the vertical and antero-posterior dimension were negligible. Dental expansion was also greater than skeletal expansion. Bone-anchored maxillary expanders can be considered as an alternative choice for tooth-anchored maxillary expanders. / Medical Sciences in Orthodontics

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005 / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 57 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-52).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences - Orthodontics. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on August 16, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

The aim of this study was verify the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with Haas, in speech of the pacient with transforamen cleft lip and palate. The sample consisted of 12 individuals with cleft lip and palate (CLP), being 6 boys and 6 girls, with age between 7 and 14 years, carriers of cleft lip and palate corrected with surgery. From these, 6 individuals, 3 boys and 3 girls, were submited to conventional activation ERM protocol (Group 1). The other 6 individuals, 3 boys and 3 girls, were submited to activation ERM protocol in agreement with Liou and Tsai (2005) of alternate expansions and constrictions (Group 2). The subjects were submited to fonoaudiologic evaluation of orofacial organs; nasal air capacity evaluation; perceptual analysis and spectographic evaluation of speech. The results obtained showed that RME produces changes on speech and orofacial organs in individuals with CLP. However, in some subjects, the changes did not happened in spite of RME structure changes. The increase of the nasal air capacity was statistically relevant. No statistically relevant was found between the groups in evaluations. The presente study indicated that RME produces changes on lips and tongue posture and breathing. These changes probably happen because an increase on intra-oral space, however the results showed that changes not always happen in a spontaneous way. / O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos da Expansão Rápida da Maxila, com aparelho Haas, na fala do paciente com Fissura Labiopalatia Transforame. A amostra foi composta por 12 indivíduos com fissura lábiopalatina (FLP), sendo 6 do sexo masculino e 6 do sexo feminino, com faixa etária entre 7 e 14 anos de idade, com cirurgias primárias de reparo de lábio e palato. Do total de sujeitos, 6 indivíduos, 3 meninos e 3 meninas, foram submetidos à Expansão Rápida da Maxila (ERM) de acordo com protocolo de ativação convencional (Grupo 1). Os outros 6 indivíduos, 3 meninos e 3 meninas, foram submetidos à ERM com protocolo de ativação preconizado por Liou e Tsai (2005) com expansões e constrições alternadas (Grupo 2). Os sujeitos realizaram avaliações fonoaudiológicas das estruturas e funções orofaciais; avaliação da aeração nasal; e avaliação da fala através de análise perceptivo auditiva e análise acústica. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram que a ERM traz mudanças à fala e às estruturas orofaciais e respiração do indivíduo com FLP. Em muitos casos, porém, não houve modificações mesmo tendo havido mudanças do ponto de vista estrutural advindas da ERM. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos nos aspectos avaliados. Concluiuse que a ERM traz modificações como posicionamento de lábios, língua e, respiração. Esse fato foi atribuído ao aumento do espaço intraoral e espaço aéreo nasal, porém, os resultados mostram que as modificações nem sempre ocorrem de maneira espontânea.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliar e comparar os efeitos dentoesqueléticos dos expansores maxilares Haas/Hyrax e quadrihélice, em pacientes com fissura labiopalatina completa e bilateral. Material e Métodos: A amostra do estudo foi composta por 46 pacientes com fissura labiopalatina completa e bilateral, operados na infância, com atresia do arco dentário superior, na fase de dentadura mista tardia. Os pacientes foram aleatoriamente divididos em dois grupos de estudo, tratados com expansão rápida da maxila (ERM), com aparelhos ortopédicos Haas ou Hyrax (Grupo I, n=23) e com expansão lenta da maxila (ELM) por meio de expansores tipo quadrihélice (Grupo II, n=23). O exame de tomografia computadorizada cone-beam (i-Cat, Hartsfield, PA, EUA) foi realizado imediatamente pré-expansão e no mínimo 4 meses após a expansão. Foram mensuradas, por meio do Software Nemoscan (Nemotec, Madri, Espanha) e de modo duplo-cego, as dimensões transversais maxilares, a inclinação dos dentes posteriores, a espessura das tábuas ósseas vestibular e lingual e o nível da crista óssea alveolar vestibular, nas duas fases do estudo. As alterações interfases foram avaliadas por meio do teste t pareado (p<0,05). A comparação das características iniciais de cada grupo de estudo, assim como, a comparação intergrupos do efeito da expansão, foram realizadas por meio do teste t independente (p<0,05). Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre ERM e ELM para as alterações interfases em nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. A ERM e a ELM apresentaram efeitos ortopédicos semelhantes em pacientes com fissura labiopalatina completa e bilateral, com aumentos transversais decrescentes do nível do arco dentário em direção à cavidade nasal. Ambas as modalidades de expansão ocasionaram inclinação vestibular dos dentes posteriores em magnitudes semelhantes e incitaram suaves reduções da espessura da tábua óssea vestibular (0,57mm) e do nível da crista óssea vestibular (0,54mm), sem significância clínica. Conclusão: Tanto a ERM quanto a ELM foram efetivas para produzir efeitos ortopédicos na maxila em crianças com fissura completa e bilateral, causando movimentos de inclinação vestibular dos molares, porém sem repercussões nas tábuas ósseas vestibulares ou no nível das cristas marginais. / Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the dentoskeletal effects of the Haas/Hyrax and Quadhelix maxillary expanders in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. Material and Method: The study sample was comprised of 46 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate, operated on during childhood, with constriction of the upper dental arch, in the late mixed dentition. The patients were randomly divided into two groups and treated with a rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with the Haas or Hyrax orthopedic expander (Group I, n=23) and with a slow maxillary expansion (SME) with the Quadhelix expander (Group II, n=23). The cone-beam computerized tomography (i-Cat, Hartsfield, PA, USA) was performed immediately prior to the expansion and at least 4 months post-expansion. Using the multiplanar reconstruction resource, the following measurements were evaluated with Nemoscan Software (Nemotec, Madrid, Spain) in a double-blind manner: maxillary transverse dimensions, inclination of the posterior teeth, thickness of the buccal and lingual bone plate and level of the buccal alveolar bone crest in both phases of the study. The interphase alterations were evaluated with the paired t test (p<0.05). The comparison of the initial characteristics of each study group as well as the intergroup comparison of the expansion effects were performed with the independent t test (p<0.05). The tested null hypothesis is that both expanders present similar dentoskeletal effects. Results: no statistically significant differences were found between RME and SME for the analyzed variables. RME and SME presented similar orthopedic effects in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate, with the transverse increments decreasing from the dental arch level toward the nasal cavity. Both expansion devices produced similar buccal inclination of the posterior teeth and similar and mild reduction of the bone plate thickness (0.57 mm) and of the bucal bone crest (0.54 mm), with no clinical significance. Conclusion: Both RME and SME were effective in producing orthopedic effects on the maxilla, causing inclination and buccal movement of the molars without major consequences to the buccal bone plates or the marginal crests. The null hypothesis tested in the present study was confirmed. Both expanders presented similar dentoskeletal effects.

A respiração predominantemente oral é constantemente citada como um dos fatores associados ao desenvolvimento da deficiência transversal da maxila. A Expansão Rápida da Maxila (ERM) é um excelente método para a correção desta alteração, por meio da abertura da sutura palatina. A tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico é tem sido descrita como um método preciso de exame de imagens e diante das limitações dos métodos radiográficos convencionais o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as alterações morfológicas imediatas, decorrentes da ERM, na cavidade nasal e na região da naso e orofaringe, por meio da TCFC. Foram avaliadas 15 pares de imagens tomográfica, correspondentes a 15 pacientes portadores deficiência transversal da maxila, tratados com ERM, que realizaram a TCFC ao início e após o período de contenção de 4 meses. Os resultados encontrados mostram que a cavidade nasal apresenta aumento transversal significativo em seu terço inferior, nas regiões anterior (p=0,045), média (p=0,009) e posterior (p=0,001). Não há alteração significativa do volume (p=0,11), área sagital mediana (p=0,33) e menor área axial (p=0,29) decorrente da ERM na nasofaringe. Há alteração significativa do volume (p=0,05), área sagital mediana (p=0,01) e menor área axial (p=0,04) nos momentos antes e imediatamente após a ERM, na orofaringe. Após análise dos resultados concluímos que a ERM é capaz de aumentar a largura transversal da cavidade nasal, não tendo o mesmo efeito na região da nasofaringe, e que as alterações encontradas na orofaringe podem ser decorrentes de falta de padronização o posicionamento da cabeça e lingual no momento da aquisição da imagem. / The predominantly oral breathing is constantly cited as an etiological factor for the transverse maxillary deficiency. Rapid Maxillary Expansion is an excellent method for the correction of malocclusion, through the opening of the midpalatal sutures. The literature shows that the benefits of this procedure are beyond the dental benefits, and could have repercussions in the upper airways, due to its close relationship with the maxilla. The cone beam computed tomography has been described as is an accurate method of taking pictures and before the limitations of conventional radiographic methods the aim of this study is to evaluate the immediate morphological changes resulting from the ERM, the nasal cavity and the nasal region and oropharynx, through the CBCT. We evaluated 15 patients with maxillary width deficiency were treated with RME, which hosted the CBCT to the beginning and after the retention period of 3 months. The results show that the nasal cavity presents significant increase in cross their lower third, in the anterior (1.08 mm ± 0.15), medium (1.28 mm ± 0.15) and posterior (0.77 mm ± 0.12). No significant change in volume (p=0.11), median sagittal area (p=0.33) and lower axial area (p=0.29) resulting from the RME in nasopharynx. There is significant change in volume (p = 0.05), median sagittal area (p = 0.01) and lower axial area (p = 0.04) before and immediately after the RME in the oropharynx. After analysis and discussion of results in this study, we concluded that RME is able to increase the transverse width of the nasal cavity, not having the same effect in the nasopharynx, and that the changes found in the oropharynx may be due to the lack of positioning standardization of the head and tongue at the time of image acquisition.