Assessment of mandibular plane changes using conventional versus miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion in adolescents

Authors

Michael Ricupito, University of the Pacific
Daniel Vorhees, University of the Pacific
Derek Skousen, University of the Pacific

Lead Author Affiliation

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Lead Author Program & Year

DDS Year 2

Second Author Program & Year

Graduate Orthodontics

Third Author Program & Year

DDS Year 3

Presentation Category

Research

Introduction/Context/Diagnosis

The objective of this study was to assess the cephalometric and transversal changes in growing patients (adolescents) using two different types of maxilla expanders: conventional rapid palatal expander (RPE) and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander (MARPE). Our null hypothesis is that there are no significant differences between the two groups for the molar inclination, maxilla expansion amount, and mandibular plane changes.

Methods/Treatment Plan

This was a retrospective study using CBCT images. After IRB approval, we collected the CBCT exams of 17 (MARPE) and 20 (RPE) patients at two different time points: initial treatment (T1) and final treatment (T3). The Dolphin® software was used to orient the skulls and trace the lateral cephalograms and assess the transversal and upper molar changes. A total of 32 measurements were analyzed.

Results/Outcome

The average age for RPE groups was 13.9±1.4, and 13.9±1.3 in the MARPE group at T1. For the cephalometric values at T1. Both groups showed similar values in T1, except for IMPA (5.9°), ANB (1.6°), and Lower Face Height (-3.7 mm) when we compared RPE – MARPE. For the mandibular plane changes, there were no statistically significant values comparing T3-T1 in both groups. For the upper molar inclination, only the MARPE group showed a statistically significant difference between T3-T1 of 2.39mm (right side) and 3.30 mm (left side). Transversally, both groups showed expansion in all variables studied. In addition, we found a statistically significant and negative moderate correlation (r=-0.663) with the mandibular plane angulation and right molar inclination.

Significance/Conclusions

This study showed that there are no statistically significant differences between and after treatment for the mandibular angle changes; however, a moderate correlation was found with the molar inclination and mandibular plane angle in the MARPE group, for this reason, we suggest that MARPE group has a greater influence on the mandibular plane angle.

Comments/Acknowledgements

We want to acknowledge the Department of Orthodontics at the University of the Pacific.

Format

Event