Open AccessEvaluation of the effects of modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion on occlusal force distribution: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Fatma Denız Uzuner,
Hande Odabasi,
Seçil Açar,
Tuba Tortop,
Nilüfer Darendeliler
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the european journal of dentistry/the european journal of dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.625
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1305-7464
pISSN - 1305-7456
DOI - 10.4103/1305-7456.175695
Subject(s) - orthodontics , materials science , dentistry , medicine
Objective: To evaluate the effects of modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on occlusal force distribution. Materials and Methods: The sample included 12 patients (7 girls and 5 boys; mean age: 13.1 years) at the permanent dentition stage with bilateral posterior cross-bite. The patients were treated with a modified bonded RME appliance, activated twice a day. The study was terminated when the palatal cusps of the maxillary posterior teeth were occluding with the buccal cusps of the mandibular posterior teeth. The postretention period was 3 months. The T-Scan III device was used to analyze the percentages of occlusal force distribution, and records were taken at the pretreatment (T1), the postreatment (T2), and the postretention (T3) periods. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analyses. Results: Incisors were most frequently without contact, followed by canines. The highest forces were seen in the second and first molar regions. A significant decrease was seen in total occlusal force during treatment (T1–T2); however, during retention, the force returned to its initial value, and no significant differences were found (T1–T3). No differences were found between right and left sides and in occlusal forces of the teeth in all time periods. Conclusion: The use of modified bonded RME decreases the total occlusal forces during the treatment period, but it does returns to its initial value after the postretention period.