Hard tissue (skeletal) evaluation after MARPE skeletal expansion

Authors

Hahnnah Park, University of the PacificFollow
Cierra Randall, University of the PacificFollow
Bianca Lau, University of the PacificFollow
Heeyeon Suh, University of the PacificFollow
Kevin Shimizu, University of the PacificFollow
Joorok Park, University of the PacificFollow
Heesoo Oh, University of the PacificFollow

Lead Author Affiliation

Department of Orthodontics

Lead Author Program & Year

DDS Year 2

Presentation Category

Research

Introduction/Context/Diagnosis

Bone-borne anchorage of micro-implant assisted RPEs allows the clinician to achieve skeletal expansion of the palate along the transverse width with minimal flaring of the teeth. Along with increases in the transverse dimensions of the dental arch, expansion has been shown to increase the cross-sectional area of adjacent soft and hard tissues. The objective of this study is to evaluate the concurrent hard tissue changes of the nasal cavity as a result of palatal skeletal expansion using bone-anchored MARPEs.

Methods/Treatment Plan

Twenty subjects between ages 10 - 28 received micro-implant assisted RPEs as part of their treatment. CBCTs were taken pre-treatment and within an average of six months after expansion concluded. Three-dimensional imaging was used to locate landmarks using Invivo6 Anatomage software by one orthodontic resident and five second-year dental students after calibration. Tracing points of nasal hard tissues and the airway were made to evaluate differences between pre and post-expansion widths.

Results/Outcome

Significant differences were found for the hard tissue widths of landmarks within both the anterior and posterior nasal cavities. Anterior nasal cavity landmarks include the lateral piriform, inferior turbinate, and inferior piriform; posterior nasal cavity landmarks include the superior turbinate, inferior turbinate, and nasal floor.

Significance/Conclusions

Bone-borne MARPEs may be used in cases where parallel lateral expansion of the palate and supporting structures are indicated. Since bone-borne MARPEs have demonstrated to increase the width of the anterior and posterior hard tissue cavities, they may have a positive impact on patients with nasal airway resistance.

The micro-implant assisted RPEs in this study demonstrated significant effects on various hard tissue landmarks in the anterior and posterior nasal cavities of the twenty subjects. Measurements indicate that expansion occurred at the superior measurements of the nasal cavity as well as on the nasal floor, accompanying various circummaxillary sutures. Maxillary expansion will increase nasal airway volume and may benefit patients with nasal airway restriction.

Format

Event