Rapid maxillary expansion after secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with alveolar cleft.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that it is possible to perform rapid maxillary expansion (RME) after alveolar bone grafting in patients with clefts of the lip and palate (CLP) without compromising the final result of the bone graft.


METHODS
Occlusal and periapical radiographs of the grafted area of 17 unilateral and 11 bilateral patients with CLP (n = 28) were obtained before and after RME.


METHODS
Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC), University of São Paulo. Twenty-eighty patients with CLP who had undergone RME.


METHODS
RME was performed in patients with CLP who had already undergone RME before secondary bone grafting but with relapse of the maxillary dental arch constriction, as well as in patients with CLP who had never undergone expansion before bone grafting.


METHODS
Qualitative evaluation in occlusal and periapical radiographs after alveolar bone grafting.


RESULTS
Findings showed opening of the midpalatal suture in 42.8% of patients in this study. Regardless of the success rate of RME, the alveolar bone grafting was not affected when the procedures were inverted.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis was accepted. RME can be performed after secondary alveolar bone grafting without affecting it.
da Silva Filho
Omar Gabriel
OG
Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. ortoface@travelnet.com.br
Boiani
Elaine
E
de Oliveira Cavassan
Arlete
A
Santamaria
Milton
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000543:Alveoloplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D003393:Cranial Sutures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing