Modification of the technique of osteotomy for surgical maxillary expansion

Abstract

Surgically assisted maxillary expansion is a technique used to correct transverse maxillary deficiency, which is a dentofacial anomaly related to the decrease of the upper arch over the lower arch. It is applied to patients in their late teens and adults due to skeletal maturity, causing obliteration of the intermaxillary suture, which requires orthodontic procedure, associated with surgery. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical case of a patient admitted for surgical maxillary expansion through the modified technique and point out the possible advantages, such as aesthetics maintenence, long-term stability, faster return to orthodontic treatment, and improved bone healing. However, there are some contraindications when the patient presents severe crowding, roots of the canine and lateral incisor are converging and in patients who will undergo to protraction with facial mask.

Keywords

• Osteotomy, atresia, maxillary, expansion