title: Changes of pulp-chamber dimensions 1 year after rapid maxillary expansion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of orthopedic forces on maxillary first molars' and maxillary central incisors' pulp chambers in children having rapid maxillary expansion as the only intervention compared with children having no orthodontic intervention by using cone-beam computed tomography images.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective controlled clinical study, we evaluated 60 maxillary first molars and 60 maxillary central incisors from 30 children (18 boys, 12 girls) in the mixed dentition and during the pubertal growth period. The treated group had rapid maxillary expansion with the Haas expander, followed by 6 months of retention and 6 months of follow-up out of retention; the control group had no intervention during the study. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were taken initially and 1 year after the rapid maxillary expansion active phase. Initially, a 3-dimensional scrolling in all pulp chambers of the evaluated teeth was performed with Dolphin Imaging software (version 11.0; Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions, Chatsworth, Calif) to describe the incidence of pulp-chamber calcifications. The dimensions of the pulp chambers of the molars and incisors were also investigated. Cross-sectional and longitudinal slices were used for each molar (coronal and axial slices) and incisor (sagittal and axial slices). The area (mm(2)) was obtained from 3 slices of each kind (6 measurements for each tooth).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results suggest that rapid maxillary expansion did not induce new pulp-chamber calcification. Also, it did not interfere in normal pulp-chamber dimension changes of the anchorage molars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pulp chamber of the central incisors can be expected to be minimally wider 1 year after the therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baratieri
authors.forename: Matheus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Cláudia Trindade
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Mattos
authors.forename: Margareth Maria Gomes de
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos de Oliveira
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ruellas
mesh_terms: D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002648:Child; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003784:Dental Pulp Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods*; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies