title: Corticotomy-assisted rapid maxillary expansion: A novel approach with a 3-year follow-up.
abstract: This case report introduces a new approach of corticotomy-assisted rapid maxillary expansion for treating a severe maxillary transverse discrepancy in a skeletally mature patient. This approach uses piezo-bone perforation in conjunction with a fixed appliance and an expander. This report describes the treatment of a 14-year-old girl with a severe maxillary transverse discrepancy. She had a straight profile, severe maxillary crowding, a maxillomandibular transverse differential index of 9 mm, and a Class I skeletal relationship. The treatment protocol consisted of surgical intervention with piezo-bone perforation and active orthodontic therapy. Immediately after the piezo-bone perforation on the lateral buccal side of the maxilla, active orthodontic therapy was started with activation of an expander. The expander was reactivated weekly. Treatment duration was 5 months 2 weeks. Proper overbite and overjet, facial balance, and occlusion were achieved. The treatment outcome was stable at the 3-year follow up. This treatment approach considerably reduced the treatment time and gained bony volume. Additionally, it transformed the periodontal biotype in contrast to conventional therapy. This approach is a good alternative for treating a severe maxillary transverse discrepancy in a skeletally mature patient, especially for a patient who does not want surgical rapid palatal expansion.
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Casablanca, Morocco. Electronic address: dr.echchadimehdi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed Elmehdi
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Echchadi
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Basma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benchikh
authors.affiliation: Specialist in orthodontics, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellamine
authors.affiliation: Associate professor and chair, Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed