title: Three-dimensional effects of pterygomaxillary disconnection during surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a cadaveric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pterygomaxillary disconnection on the transversal expansion of the maxilla.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen cadaver heads were used for surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE), which was carried out twice on the same heads-with and without pterygoid disconnection. The maxillae were expanded by 10 mm by using a rapid palatal expander. Study models before and after both SARPE techniques were made and scanned by an oral scanner for virtual analysis by software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Performing pterygomaxillary disconnection during SARPE led to a decrease in the deviation between the incisor regions from 5.42 ± 1.13 mm to 4.05 ± 1.12 mm (P = .002) and an increase in the distance between second premolar regions from 2.63 ± 1.64 mm to 4.07 ± 2.01 mm (P = .040).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SARPE without pterygomaxillary disconnection led to a V-shaped transverse expansion of the maxilla, whereas osteotomy of the pterygoid plates led to a parallel transverse expansion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: Smoehlhenrich@ukaachen.de.
authors.forename: Stephan Christian
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Möhlhenrich
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Modabber
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Medical Faculty of RWTH-Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prescher
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hölzle
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D003765:Models, Dental; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery*