• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2015

Maxillary transverse deficiency is one of the most common deformities among occlusal discrepancies. Typical surgical methods are segmental Le Fort I osteotomy and surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). This patient underwent a parasagittal split with a Le Fort I osteotomy to correct transverse maxillary deficiency. During follow-up, early transverse relapse occurred and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) application with removal of the fixative plate on the constricted side was able to regain the dimension again. RME application may be appropriate salvage therapy for such a case.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2012

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the initial effects of maxillary expansion therapy with Hyrax appliance and to evaluate the related changes in maxillary sinus volume. Materials and Methods : Thirty patients (20 females, 10 males; 13.8 years) requiring maxillary expansion therapy, as part of their comprehensive orthodontic treatment, were examined. Each patient had cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images taken before (T1) and after (T2) maxillary expansion therapy with a banded Hyrax appliance. Multiplanar slices were used to measure linear dimensions and palatal vault angle. Volumetric analysis was used to measure maxillary sinus volumes. Student t tests were used to compare the pre- and post-treatment measurements. Additionally, differences between two age groups were compared with Mann-Whitney U test. The level of significance was set at p=0.05. Results : Comparison of pre-treatment to post-treatment variables revealed significant changes in the transverse dimension related to both maxillary skeletal and dental structures and palatal vault angle, resulting in a widened palatal vault (p<0.05). Hard palate showed no significant movement in the vertical and anteroposterior planes. Nasal cavity width increased on a mean value of 0.93mm(SD=0.23, p<0.05). Maxillary sinus volume remained virtually stable. No significant age differences were observed in the sample. Conclusion : Hyrax expansion therapy did not have a significant impact on maxillary sinus volume.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.25 no.6 s.53
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• pp.733-746
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• 1995

In narrow maxillary arch, midpalatal suture can be readily opened in growing children with maxillary palatal expansion. In adult patients, narrow maxilla is generally treated surgically because their growth are deemed completed due to their age. However, in patients under 25, midpalatal suture may not be closed. In addition, maxillary expansion may depend upon the closure of other maxillary sutures, which generally remain open at this stage. The present study attempted suture openings with palatal expansion on 5 female patients in their early 20's. The opening was successful in 4 patients, while only one patient showed no suture opening. In all 4 subjects, no discomfort or pain was present during s\expansion, and the successful suture opening was confirmed on occlusal x-rays. Therefore, for those patients with narrow maxilla in their early 20's, rapid palatal expansion or slow palatal expansion may offer a simple and less complicated option which, if successful, may preclude the need for surgery and thereby circumvent the psychological and financial burdens for the patients.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.241-249
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the volume, amount, and localization of root resorption in the maxillary first premolars using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) after expansion with four different rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliances. Methods: In total, 20 patients who required RME and extraction of the maxillary first premolars were recruited for this study. The patients were divided into four groups according to the appliance used: mini-implant-supported hybrid RME appliance, hyrax RME appliance, acrylic-bonded RME appliance, and full-coverage RME appliance. The same activation protocol (one activation daily) was implemented in all groups. For each group, the left and right maxillary first premolars were scanned using micro-CT, and each root were divided into six regions. Resorption craters in the six regions were analyzed using special CTAn software for direct volumetric measurements. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni adjustment. Results: The hybrid expansion appliance resulted in the lowest volume of root resorption and the smallest number of craters (p < 0.001). In terms of overall root resorption, no significant difference was found among the other groups (p > 0.05). Resorption was greater on the buccal surface than on the lingual surface in all groups except the hybrid appliance group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that all expansion appliances cause root resorption, with resorption craters generally concentrated on the buccal surface. However, the mini-implant-supported hybrid RME appliance causes lesser root resorption than do other conventional appliances.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.322-329
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• 2013

Among the occlusal discrepancies, maxillary transverse deficiency is quite common in several reasons. The reasons are comprised of maxillary hypoplasia, thumb sucking habits, non-syndromic palatal synostosis and syndromal patients including cleft patients. Orthodontic treatment is used routinely to correct a deficiency in young patients while it has limitations for a skeletally mature patient. Surgical treatments help provide effective maxillary expansion to correct a deficiency in adults. Surgical methods can be categorized to segmental Le Fort I osteotomy and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion(SARME). Both methods seem successful but each method would have its own indication. We give a review on transverse maxillary deficiency and two surgical methods.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.314-323
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• 2020

Objective: To identify the available evidence on the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with three-dimensional imaging and provide meta-analytic data from studies assessing the outcomes using computed tomography. Methods: Eleven electronic databases were searched, and prospective case series were selected. Two authors screened all titles and abstracts and assessed full texts of the remaining articles. Seventeen case series were included in the quantitative synthesis. Seven outcomes were investigated: nasal cavity width, maxillary basal bone width, alveolar buccal crest width, alveolar palatal crest width, inter-molar crown width, inter-molar root apex width, and buccopalatal molar inclination. The outcomes were investigated at two-time points: post-expansion (2-6 weeks) and post-retention (4-8 months). Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used to summarize and combine the data. Results: All the investigated outcomes showed significant differences post-expansion (maxillary basal bone width, +2.46 mm; nasal cavity width, +1.95 mm; alveolar buccal crest width, +3.90 mm; alveolar palatal crest width, +3.09 mm; intermolar crown width, +5.69 mm; inter-molar root apex width, +2.85 mm; and dental tipping, +3.75°) and post-retention (maxillary basal bone width, +2.21 mm; nasal cavity width, +1.55 mm; alveolar buccal crest width, +3.57 mm; alveolar palatal crest width, +3.32 mm; inter-molar crown width, +5.43 mm; inter-molar root apex width, +4.75 mm; and dental tipping, 2.22°) compared to pre-expansion. Conclusions: After RME, skeletal expansion of the nasomaxillary complex was greater in most caudal structures. Maxillary basal bone showed 10% post-retention relapse. During retention period, uprighting of maxillary molars occurred.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare the changes in the pharyngeal airway (PA), maxillary sinus volume, and skeletal parameters after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (Alt-RAMEC) followed by facemask (FM) therapy. Methods: The records of 40 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion due to maxillary retrognathism were collected, and the patients were assigned into two groups. The first group comprised 8 male and 12 female patients (mean age, $10.0{\pm}1.1years$) treated using RME/FM for an average of 10 months. The second group comprised 10 male and 10 female patients (mean age, $9.64{\pm}1.3years$) treated using Alt-RAMEC/FM for an average of 12 months. Cone-beam computed tomography images acquired before (T0) and after treatment (T1) were evaluated. Results: Regarding the skeletal effects, significant differences between the groups were the increase in ANS-HRP (perpendicular distance of ANS to the horizontal reference plane, 0.99 mm, p <0.05) in the Alt-RAMEC/FM group and the decrease in PP-SN (palatal plane to Sella-Nasion plane, $0.93^{\circ}$, p < 0.05) in the RME/FM group. Maxillary sinus volumes increased significantly in both the groups, and the increase was statistically significantly higher in the Alt-RAMEC/FM group. Although no significant intergroup differences were observed in PA volumes, both lower ($1,011.19mm^3$) and total ($1,601.21mm^3$), PA volume increased significantly in the Alt-RAMEC/FM group. Conclusions: The different expansion devices and protocols used with FM therapy do not seem to affect the forward movement of the maxilla and PA volumes. In contrast, the increase in maxillary sinus volume was greater in the Alt-RAMEC/FM protocol.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.145-156
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the midfacial soft tissue changes following maxillary expansion using micro-implant-supported maxillary skeletal expanders (MSEs) in young adults by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the correlations between hard and soft tissue changes after MSE usage. Methods: Twenty patients (mean age, 22.4 years; range, 17.6-27.1) with maxillary transverse deficiency treated with MSEs were selected. Mean expansion amount was 6.5 mm. CBCT images taken before and after expansion were superimposed to measure the changes in soft and hard tissue landmarks. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis on the basis of the normality of data. Results: Average lateral movement of the cheek points was 1.35 mm (right) and 1.08 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 1.03 mm (right) and 1.02 mm (left). Average forward displacement of the cheek points was 0.59 mm (right) and 0.44 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 0.61 mm (right) and 0.77 mm (left) (p < 0.05). Anterior nasal spine (ANS), posterior nasal spine (PNS), and alveolar bone width showed significant increments (p < 0.05). Changes in the cheek and alar curvature points on both sides significantly correlated with hard tissue changes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Maxillary expansion using MSEs resulted in significant lateral and forward movements of the soft tissues of cheek and alar curvature points on both sides in young adults and correlated with the maxillary suture opening at the ANS and PNS.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.320-328
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pterygomaxillary separation on dimensional changes of dental arch following surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). Patients and Methods: Eighteen adults who had been treated by SARME for transverse maxillary deficiency from May 2000 to August 2005 were evaluated. Thirteen patients (Group 1) were treated with subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy including pterygomaxillary separation and anterior midpalatal osteotomy. The same operation was performed in five patients (Group 2) except pterygomaxillary separation. Dental study casts were taken before operation and after removal of expansion device. And then, skeletal and dental parameters were measured pre- and post-operatively. Results: 1. Changes of mean interdental width 1) In group 1, mean maxillary interdental width was increased 70%($47{\sim}99%$), 95%($84{\sim}115%$), and 77%($57{\sim}94%$) of total expansion on canine, first premolar, and first molar region, respectively after retention. 2) In group 2, mean maxillary interdental width was increased 77%($59{\sim}100%$), 78%($45{\sim}107%$), and 86%($57{\sim}116%$) of total expansion on canine, first premolar, and first molar region, respectively after retention. 3) There was a statistical difference between the change of interdental width of group 1 and group 2 at first premolar(p<0.05). 2. Changes of mean interalveolar width 1) In group 1, mean maxillary alveolar bone width was increased 66%($42{\sim}84%$), 74%($42{\sim}104%$), and 57%($31{\sim}78%$) of total expansion on canine, first premolar, and first molar region, respectively after retention. 2) In Group 2, mean maxillary alveolar bone width was increased 73%($55{\sim}98%$), 67%($36{\sim}89%$), and 59%($48{\sim}73%$) of total expansion on canine, first premolar, and first molar region, respectively after retention. 3) There were no statistical differences between group 1 and group 2 at each teeth area. Conclusion: These results suggest that SARME without pterygomaxillary separation may allow the relatively equal expansion at both anterior and posterior teeth area and most amounts of maxillary interdental expansions were acquired with the expansion of the maxilla by SARME.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.304-315
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze initial displacement and stress distribution of the maxillofacial complex during dentoskeletal maxillary protraction with various appliance designs placed on the palatal region by using three-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods: Six models of maxillary protraction were developed: conventional facemask (Type A), facemask with dentoskeletal hybrid anchorage (Type B), facemask with a palatal plate (Type C), intraoral traction using a Class III palatal plate (Type D), facemask with a palatal plate combined with rapid maxillary expansion (RME; Type E), and Class III palatal plate intraoral traction with RME (Type F). In Types A, B, C, and D, maxillary protraction alone was performed, whereas in Types E and F, transverse expansion was performed simultaneously with maxillary protraction. Results: Type C displayed the greatest amount of anterior dentoskeletal displacement in the sagittal plane. Types A and B resulted in similar amounts of anterior displacement of all the maxillofacial landmarks. Type D showed little movement, but Type E with expansion and the palatal plate displayed a larger range of movement of the maxillofacial landmarks in all directions. Conclusions: The palatal plate served as an effective skeletal anchor for use with the facemask in maxillary protraction. In contrast, the intraoral use of Class III palatal plates showed minimal skeletal and dental effects in maxillary protraction. In addition, palatal expansion with the protraction force showed minimal effect on the forward movement of the maxillary complex.