title: Evaluation of the effects of modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion on occlusal force distribution: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on occlusal force distribution.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 12 patients (7 girls and 5 boys; mean age: 13.1 years) at the permanent dentition stage with bilateral posterior cross-bite. The patients were treated with a modified bonded RME appliance, activated twice a day. The study was terminated when the palatal cusps of the maxillary posterior teeth were occluding with the buccal cusps of the mandibular posterior teeth. The postretention period was 3 months. The T-Scan III device was used to analyze the percentages of occlusal force distribution, and records were taken at the pretreatment (T1), the postreatment (T2), and the postretention (T3) periods. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incisors were most frequently without contact, followed by canines. The highest forces were seen in the second and first molar regions. A significant decrease was seen in total occlusal force during treatment (T1-T2); however, during retention, the force returned to its initial value, and no significant differences were found (T1-T3). No differences were found between right and left sides and in occlusal forces of the teeth in all time periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of modified bonded RME decreases the total occlusal forces during the treatment period, but it does returns to its initial value after the postretention period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Fatma Deniz
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Uzuner
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Hande
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Odabasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Secil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tortop
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Nilufer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Darendeliler
keywords: Modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion; T-Scan device; occlusal force; occlusal force distribution