Lack of bone healing: an unusual complication following surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion

Bone defects at interdental osteotomy sites are as a complication of surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion ( SARPE ). The replacement of osseous tissue by fibrous connective tissue impairs the spontaneous closure of a diastema between central incisors, and orthodontic tooth movement through the defect area may lead to root resorption. Treatment of such a situation requires an orthodontic‐surgical approach. In this report, we describe the lack of bone healing at the midline osteotomy site after SARPE , which was treated by autogenous bone grafting as assessed by cone beam computed tomography. In addition, we discuss factors related to the aetiology and treatment of a bone defect after SARPE .