Midpalatal Suture Density Evaluation after Rapid and Slow Maxillary Expansion with a Low-Dose CT Protocol: A Retrospective Study
Rosamaria Fastuca,
Ambra Michelotti,
Riccardo Nucera,
Vincenzo D’Antò,
Angela Militi,
Antonino Logiudice,
Alberto Caprioglio,
Marco Portelli
Affiliations
Rosamaria Fastuca
Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via G. Piatti 10, 21100 Varese, Italy
Ambra Michelotti
Section of Orthodontics, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Oral Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Riccardo Nucera
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
Vincenzo D’Antò
School of Orthodontics, University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Angela Militi
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
Antonino Logiudice
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
Alberto Caprioglio
Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via G. Piatti 10, 21100 Varese, Italy
Marco Portelli
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy
Background and objectives: The aim of the present paper is to use low-dose computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the changes in the midpalatal suture density in patients treated with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and slow maxillary expansion (SME). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (mean age 10.2 ± 1.2 years) were retrospectively selected from the existing sample of a previous study. For each patient, a low-dose computed tomography examination was performed before appliance placement (T0) and at the end of retention (T1), seven months later. Using the collected images, the midpalatal suture density was evaluated in six regions of interest. Results: No significant differences were found between the timepoints in the rapid maxillary expansion group. Three out of six regions of interest showed significant decreases between the timepoints in the slow maxillary expansion group. No significant differences were found in comparisons between the two groups. Conclusions: The midpalatal suture density showed no significant differences when rapid maxillary expansion groups were compared to slow maxillary expansion groups, suggesting that a similar rate of suture reorganization occurs despite different expansion protocols.
