Bimaxillary transverse constriction in adults: Short-term follow-up of non-surgical arch expansion.

OBJECTIVE

Concurrent maxillary and mandibular expansion is a treatment option for patients with maxillary and mandibular transverse constriction. These patients do not present with crossbite but require expansion due to narrow arches and associated crowding, dark buccal corridors and decreased anterior arch contour. The objective of the study is to first establish Bimaxillary Transverse Constriction as an under-recognized malocclusion and second to evaluate whether in adults the maxillary and mandibular arches can be successfully and safely expanded.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Pre- and post-treatment study models and lateral cephalograms of 31 adults with Bimaxillary Transverse Constriction expanded non-surgically were analysed. Thirty adult orthodontic patients who did not require expansion served as a control. Expanders were turned no more frequently than every other day in the maxilla and every third day in the mandible.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Measurements in both arches made on OrthoCAD models were transarch widths, molar and premolar axial angulation, clinical crown height of posterior teeth and cuspids, and mandibular divergence. Retrospective comparison of the 2 groups used independent Student's t tests for mean differences between groups.

RESULTS

At pre-treatment, the expansion group demonstrated significant transverse constriction compared with the control. Increased widths were achieved in the expansion group (4 mm in the maxilla and 2.5 mm in the mandible), while the control group was unchanged. The mandibular plane was unchanged. There was no buccal attachment loss.

CONCLUSION

Non-surgical expansion in the maxilla and mandible is a viable treatment option for adult patients with Bimaxillary Transverse Constriction.