title: Two-point rapid palatal expansion: an alternate approach to traditional treatment.
abstract: Rapid palatal expansion (RPE) causes separation of the lateral halves of the palate and traditionally has used four maxillary teeth as anchorage. The purpose of this study was to introduce a rapid palatal expander that requires only two anchor teeth (two-point RPEe) and to compare the expansion obtained with that from a Hyrax appliance. This study involved two groups of 25 children aged 7 to 15 years who were treated in a private orthodontist's office with either a Hyrax appliance or a two-point RPEe. Dental casts and occlusal radiographs were made before treatment and at least three months after stabilization of the appliance. Paired t-tests were performed to identify significant intragroup changes, and independent t-tests were performed to determine intergroup differences. The findings showed the two-point RPEe was as efficient as the Hyrax in obtaining dental expansion of the maxillary posterior teeth with less effect on the maxillary anterior and mandibular teeth. Therefore, the two-point RPEe may be useful in certain clinical situations.
authors: Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Schneidman
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wilson
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Erkis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique