Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Slow Maxillary Expansion with Leaf Expander vs. Rapid Maxillary Expansion in a Sample of Growing Patients: Direct Effects on Maxillary Arch and Spontaneous Mandibular Response

Abstract

The aim is to evaluate the effects of slow maxillary expansion on maxillary and mandibular arch, using a slow maxillary expander (SME-Leaf Expander) banded on primary second molar. Ninety patients with transverse maxillary deficiency and posterior crossbite were selected. Sixty-nine patients (33 males/36 females; 7.6 ± 1.7 years old) who underwent SME and 21 patients (10 males/11 females; 7.4 ± 1.2 years old) who were treated with rapid maxillary expander (RME). Digital models obtained pre- and post-treatment at appliance removal (9 to 11 months) were processed by means of a 3D scanner (Trios 3, 3Shape D250 laser, Copenhagen, Denmark). Interdental width in both maxilla and mandible were measured with 3 SHAPE Ortho Analyzer. Four Maxillary and four mandibular interdental width were traced and evaluated. The adequate Student’s t-test (dependent or independent) was used to compare intra and intergroups interdental width differences (p p p < 0.001). SME with Leaf Expander produced statistically significant effects for the correction of transverse maxillary deficiencies with a significant indirect effect on the mandibular arch.

Keywords

• maxillary expansion
• palatal expansion
• crossbite
• digital dentistry
• digital orthodontics
• 3D imaging