[Palatal distractor. An innovative approach for palatal expansion].
BACKGROUND
A method is introduced using a newly developed palatal distractor, which allows rapid transversal widening in cases of maxillary compression.


METHODS
After osteotomy of the palate parallel to the sutura palatina mediana as well as to the lateral walls of the maxillary sinuses, the applied distractor permitted a transversal widening of 7.5 mm within 3 weeks. During the 3-month period of retention, multibanded orthodontic therapy could be performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the short treatment period, absence of recurrence, and easy handling for the patient this method is recommended for clinical use.
Zahl
Chr
C
Klinik für Mund, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. christian.zahl@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
Gerlach
K L
KL
D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*