Evaluation of the effects of different types of rapid maxillary expansion appliances on skeletal and dentoalveolar structures

Evaluation of the Effects of Different Types of Rapid Maxillary Expansion Appliances on Skeletal and Dentoalveolar Structures Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of different types of rapid maxillary expansion appliances. Method: 60 patients complying with our research criteria were selected from the archive records of the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University. Sixty patients were divided into three groups according to the type of rapid maxillary appliances used in expansion therapies. The first group consisted of patients with Full Cap Splint, the second group with Mc Namara appliance and the third group with Fan Type appliance, treated rapid maxillary expansion and completed their orthodontic treatment. In our retrospective study to compare the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of different RME appliance types, lateral cephalometric radiographs and digital model recordings of pretreatment and postretantion period were analyzed between groups. Results: The groups were similar in terms of chronological age, gender distribution, initial cephalometric and model measurements. Similar effects were found in three groups without statistically significant differences. In all of the groups, maxilla and mandible were rotated in the forward and downward direction, and consequently, there was an increase in vertical parameters in all groups. In the Full Cap Splint group, more protrusions were detected in the upper incisors. In the Fan Type group, the upper intercanine width was found to be higher than the molar width. Lower premolar width was increased in all groups. Conclusion: The skeletal and dentolalveolar effects of Full Cap Splint, Mc Namara and Fan Type appliances were similar. Key words: RME, Full Cap Splint, Mc Namara, Fan Type