Palatal volume following rapid maxillary expansion in mixed dentition.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate volumetric variations in the palate following rapid expansion, both immediately after treatment and over time.


METHODS
The sample was composed of 30 patients in early mixed dentition treated with a Haas-type device cemented onto the primary second molars. The mean age of the patients upon commencement of expansion was 7 years and 6 months (standard deviation [SD], 12 months). Measurement of palatal volume was conducted via 3D acquisition of plaster models using laser scanning before treatment (T1), upon device removal (T2), and 2.6 years afterward (T3).


RESULTS
The volume of the palate increased in a statistically significant fashion from T1 to T2 and from T1 to T3, and it decreased in a nonsignificant fashion from T2 to T3.


CONCLUSIONS
Palatal volume significantly increases with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment with insignificant relapse. The use of virtual 3D models with the aid of Apposite software permits evaluation of the morphologic and volumetric changes induced by orthodontic treatment.
Gracco
Antonio
A
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. antoniogracco@gmail.com
Malaguti
Andrea
A
Lombardo
Luca
L
Mazzoli
Alida
A
Raffaeli
Roberto
R
D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D003765:Models, Dental; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface