Nonsurgical miniscrew-assisted rapid maxillary expansion results in acceptable stability in young adults

TLDR

To evaluate the stability of nonsurgical miniscrew‑assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARME) in young adults with transverse maxillary deficiency. The study enrolled 20 adults (mean age 20.9 yr) who received MARME followed by straight‑wire orthodontics; cephalometric records and dental casts were taken at baseline, immediately after expansion, after debonding, and at a mean 30.2‑month follow‑up. Suture separation occurred in 87 % of patients, with an average maxillary width increase of 1.92 mm (43 % of total expansion) and minimal post‑treatment changes, demonstrating that nonsurgical MARME yields clinically acceptable and stable outcomes.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the stability of nonsurgical miniscrew-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARME) in young adults with a transverse maxillary deficiency. Materials and Methods: From a total of 69 adult patients who underwent MARME followed by orthodontic treatment with a straight-wire appliance, 20 patients (mean age, 20.9 ± 2.9 years) with follow-up records (mean, 30.2 ± 13.2 months) after debonding were selected. Posteroanterior cephalometric records and dental casts were obtained at the initial examination (T0), immediately after MARME removal (T1), immediately after debonding (T2), and at posttreatment follow-up (T3). Results: Suture separation was observed in 86.96% of subjects (60/69). An increase in the maxillary width (J-J; 1.92 mm) accounted for 43.34% of the total expansion with regard to the intermolar width (IMW) increase (4.43 mm; P < .001) at T2. The amounts of J-J and IMW posttreatment changes were −0.07 mm (P > .05) and −0.42 mm (P = .01), respectively, during retention. The postexpansion change in middle alveolus width increased with age (P < .05). The postexpansion change of interpremolar width (IPMW) was positively correlated with the amount of IPMW expansion (P < .05) but not with IMW. The changes of the clinical crown heights in the maxillary canines, first premolars, and first molars were not significant at each time point. Conclusions: Nonsurgical MARME can be a clinically acceptable and stable treatment modality for young adults with a transverse maxillary deficiency.