title: Soft, hard-tissues and pharyngeal airway volume changes following maxillomandibular transverse osteodistraction: Computed tomography and three-dimensional laser scanner evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maxillomandibular transverse osteodistraction (MMTOD) is an alternative approach to the traditional treatment for transverse maxillary and mandibular deficiencies and crowding. The aim was to report soft and hard-tissues changes and airway volume variation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, skeletally mature, non-syndromic patients with transverse maxillary and mandibular hypoplasia, who underwent a MMTOD between 2010 and 2012, were included. Surgical changes were analysed using clinical evaluation, three-dimensional facial surface data and computed tomography analysis before (T0) and after the completion of post-op orthodontic treatment (T1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients (eight males and eleven females; average age: 26.3 years) were enrolled. MMTOD produces facial changes in the cheek, paranasal areas, nasal base and chin. Facial changes are mostly explained by the underlying skeletal movements, which are essentially represented by the transverse enlargement of both the maxilla and the mandible. Following MMTOD, the airway volume and the lateral dimension of the cross-sectional airway increased significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMTOD is a technique that allows an increase in airway volume and in both maxillary and mandibular arch perimeters simultaneously by increasing skeletal width. Facial appearance is improved and a stable occlusion is obtained.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: p_f_bianchi@libero.it.
authors.forename: Francesca Antonella
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerbino
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corsico
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schellino
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Niccolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barla
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verzè
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D009055:Mouth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Airway changes; Orthognathic surgery; Osteodistraction; Surgically assisted rapid maxillomandibular expansion; Three-dimensional surface laser scanner