Advances and applications of the maxillary expansion technique

Abstract

Transverse maxillary deficiency is a common malocclusion in the clinic. Palatal expansion techniques are commonly used in the treatment of maxillary transverse deficiency. Traditional palatal expansion techniques have good effects on the treatment of children and adolescents whose palatal suture has not yet closed, but the effects on adult patients are unsatisfied. New palatal expansion techniques, such as miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion and surgical-assisted maxillary expansion, have increased the age-related indications for palatal expansion, and their bone expansion effect has been strengthened. With the development of CAD/CAM technology and 3D printing technology, techniques such as Invisalign and personalized appliances have been developed and have promising application prospects. To provide references for the clinical treatment of maxillary transverse deficiency, palatal expansion techniques are reviewed from the following aspects: mechanism and indications, expansion pattern, traditional and new palatal expansion appliances, stability and retention of palatal expansion, outlook of future expanders, etc.

Keywords

• maxillary transverse deficiency
• palatal expansion technique
• rapid maxillary expansion
• slow maxillary expansion
• skeletal expansion
• miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion
• surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion
• expander