Maxillary constriction treated by a new palatal distractor device: surgical and occlusal evaluations of 10 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes in maxillary dimensions after the application of a new distractor on 10 adult patients affected by severe palatal constriction.


METHODS
The palatal distractor device was made of a Rematitan titanium expansion screw (Dentaurum) welded to 2 titanium miniplates (LEIBINGER) on patient's models. The device was applied using four 8-mm screws, activated 0.20 mm 4 times a day, and blocked for 4 months. The intermolar, interpremolar, and intercanine distances were measured before the palatal distractor device application and 1 week and 4 months after activation. Changes in dental angulation in the frontal plane, the intermolar, and the interpremolar angle variations were measured.


RESULTS
There was an increase of the arch perimeter, well correlated with the expansion at dental level, resulting in teeth crowding resolution. The changes in dental angulation in the frontal plane were minimal, indicating mainly a skeletal movement.


CONCLUSIONS
The device produces mainly a skeletal movement and a minimal dental angulation movement.
Cortese
Antonio
A
Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillo-Facial Surgery Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Savastano
Mauro
M
Savastano
Germano
G
Papa
Francesco
F
Howard
Candace M
CM
Claudio
Pier Paolo
PP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000379:methods; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D003764:Dental Materials; D014025:Titanium