A clinical comparison of maxillary expansion: TransForce transverse appliance versus NiTi palatal expander

BackgroundTransForce lingual appliances are a new series of expansion appliances introduced to develop arch form in a more physiologic manner. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of the TransForce transverse appliance (TTA) and the nickel-titanium palatal expander (NPE) on arch development.MethodsTwenty patients (mean age 11.8 years) with skeletal class II malocclusion requiring arch expansion as a part of orthodontic treatment were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 10 each. Study models and lateral cephalograms were obtained from the patients at the beginning of the treatment (T1) and at the end of expansion (T2). Transverse interdental width, skeletal expansion, alveolar tipping, molar rotation, ratio of intercanine to intermolar change, and rate of expansion were analyzed by using study models.ResultsBoth appliances produced significant changes in transverse arch dimensions. Rate of expansion with NPE was significantly greater (P = 0.03). Intergroup comparisons of skeletal expansion, alveolar tipping, molar rotation, and the ratio of intercanine to intermolar change showed no significant differences.ConclusionsBoth appliances were efficient for expanding the maxillary dentition and alveolar process. Both appliances have potential for skeletal expansion. Rate of expansion with the NPE was greater than that with the TTA.