Maxillary Skeletal Expansion as a Reliable Technique for Correction of Transverse Deficiencies in Adults: A Concise Review
Author(s): Allam Amira, Basaruddin Ahmed and Norma Ab Rahman*
Abstract
Introduction: Maxillary expansion in adults is considered as a challenging treatment modality for the correction of transverse maxillary deficiency in such a mature skeleton. Surgical intervention was the only treatment option for those cases until the development of maxillary skeletal expanders (MSEs). Aim: This comprehensive review aims to identify the extent and nature of the previous studies about non-surgical maxillary expansion techniques in adults, disadvantages of conventional procedures and advancement of MSEs in respect to their mechanism, appliance design, activation protocols, different effects, stability, and limitations. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, EPSCO host, and Cochran library were used to search for literature in electronic databases. The following were the eligibility criteria: 1) Studies on human samples or human dry skulls, 2) published in English, 3) young adults or late adult ages with no additional treatments in progress that could affect the RME treatment. Studies included SARME, and MSE studies done on animal samples were excluded. Results: Sixty (60) published papers based on the inclusion criteria was included and the findings was summarizes based on the study aims. Conclusion: The skeletal effects of conventional RME in adults varies from failure to a very limited horizontal effect according to patient maturation. However, RME almost induced similar dentoalveolar, skeletal, nasal, and airway effects, which considered being a better treatment modality in situations of transverse maxillary deficiency in adults.