title: [Three-dimensional changes of maxilla after rapid maxillary expansion].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate three-dimensional changes of maxilla after rapid maxillary expansion (RME).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients treated with RME were included in the study. Spiral CT images were used to evaluate three-dimensional changes of the maxilla. A three-dimensional reference frame was set up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) ANS, PNS' and PNS displaced downward and forward. ANS-PNS plane rotated clockwise in the mid-sagittal plane. ANS-PNS' plane, which represents the real position of maxilla, was not changed in the mid-sagittal plane. The palatal suture was expanded in taper shape and two halves of the maxilla rotated in the frontal plane. (2) The maxillary suture was opened wider in the middle and narrower at both ends, which was like a spindle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional changes were found after RME treatment. Spiral CT was useful in the three-dimensional evaluation of maxilla.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Guangdong 518020, China.
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Xiang-long
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*