Analysis of rapid maxillary expansion using Cone-Beam computed Tomography

Abstract

Whenever a maxillary arch is diagnosed as skeletally atresic the treatment of choice is usually maxillary orthopedic expansion, involving separation of the midpalatal suture. Basically, this suture used to be assessed with the aid of a maxillary occlusal radiograph, which limited its posteroanterior evaluation. Similarly, quantifying this atresia in cephalometric x-rays always posed an obstacle for clinicians owing to considerable superimposition of facial structures. With the advent of computed tomography, this technology has revolutionized diagnostic methods in dentistry because it provides high dimensional accuracy of the facial structures and a reliable method for quantifying the behavior of the maxillary halves, tooth inclination, bone formation at the suture in the three planes of space, as well as alveolar bone resorption and other consequences of palatal expansion.