Transverse changes determined by rapid and slow maxillary expansion--a low-dose CT-based randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare transverse skeletal changes produced by rapid (RME) and slow (SME) maxillary expansion using low-dose computed tomography. The null hypothesis was that SME and RME are equally effective in producing skeletal maxillary expansion in patients with posterior crossbite.


METHODS
This study was carried out at the Department of Oral Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy. Twelve patients (seven males, five females, mean age ± SD: 10.3 ± 2.5 years) were allocated to the SME group and 14 patients (six males, eight females, mean age ± SD: 9.7 ± 1.5 years) to the RME group.


METHODS
All patients received a two-band palatal expander and were randomly allocated to either RME or SME. Low-dose computed tomography was used to identify skeletal and dental landmarks and to measure transverse maxillary changes with treatment.


RESULTS
A significant increase in skeletal transverse diameters was found in both SME and RME groups (anterior expansion = 2.2 ± 1.4 mm, posterior expansion = 2.2 ± 0.9 mm, pterygoid expansion = 0.9 ± 0.8 mm). No significant differences were found between groups at anterior (SME = 1.9 ± 1.3 mm; RME = 2.5 ± 1.5 mm) or posterior (SME = 1.9 ± 1.0 mm; RME = 2.4 ± 0.9 mm) locations, while a statistically significant difference was measured at the pterygoid processes (SME = 0.6 ± 0.6 mm; RME = 1.2 ± 0.9 mm, p = 0.04), which was not clinically relevant.


CONCLUSIONS
Rapid maxillary expansion is not more effective than SME in expanding the maxilla in patients with posterior crossbite.
Department of Oral Sciences, Section of Orthodontics and Temporomandibular Disorders, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
R
R
Martina
I
I
Cioffi
M
M
Farella
P
P
Leone
P
P
Manzo
G
G
Matarese
M
M
Portelli
R
R
Nucera
G
G
Cordasco
D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging