TREATMENT MODALITIES OF SKELETAL MAXILLARY DEFICIENCY: A REVIEW

Abstract

Maxillary constriction can be skeletal, dental or a combination of both. The expansion of the midpalatal suture is used to treat maxillary width deficiencies; it is performed through rapid maxillary expansion, used in children and adolescents and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion which is an alternative for adolescents and the only option for widening the maxilla in adults. During maxillary expansion, not only skeletal effect is achieved, but also dentoalveolar tipping occurs. Various treatment modalities have been used for maxillary expansion. These protocols are generally divided into rapid maxillary expansion and slow maxillary expansion and several appliances are used as palatal expanders. Widening of the maxilla not only corrects the transverse dimension and the cross-bite but also leads to an increase of nasal width, that improving quality of sleep. The procedure is stable if a retention period of at least three-six months is assured, depending on type of expansion.

Keywords

• cross bite
• maxillary expansion
• maxillary expansion techniques