Oral and maxillofacial surgeryEffects of surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion with and without pterygomaxillary disjunction on dental and skeletal structures: a retrospective review

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate and compare dental and skeletal changes in surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) patients with (+PP) and without (−PP) pterygomaxillary disjunction.Study DesignThe study casts of 18 maxillary constriction patients indicated for SARPE formed the sample of this retrospective review. The sample was divided into 2 groups. Twenty linear and 2 angular measurements were performed on the study models.ResultsAll transversal measurements increased after expansion in both the +PP and −PP groups. The −PP group showed greater expansion at the midpalatal and gingival levels, while the +PP group exhibited a greater increase of 0.78 mm at the apical base level and 11.25° less tipping in the molar teeth. A greater expansion of nearly 0.7 mm was measured in the premolar region of the +PP group.ConclusionsBoth SARPE techniques resulted in significant maxillary expansion.