3D mandibular positioning after rapid maxillary expansion in Class II malocclusion.

This study investigated, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), the spatial mandibular positioning after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in Class II Division 1 malocclusion. This prospective study evaluated 17 children (mean initial age 10.36 years old) presenting Class II, Division 1 malocclusion and skeletal maxillary constriction that underwent to RME Haas' protocol. CBCT was performed before treatment (T1), immediately after the stabilization of expander screw (T2) and after the retention period of 6 months (T3). The scans were managed in Dolphin Imaging® 11.0 software, where landmarks (right and left condylion, right and left gonion, and menton) were positioned and measured in relation to sagittal, coronal and axial plane to verify, respectively, transverse, anteroposterior and vertical displacement of the mandible. Paired Student's t-test was used to identify significant differences (p<0.05) between T1 and T2, T2 and T3, and T1 and T3. After RME, right and left gonion moved downward (1.11 mm and 0.89 mm) and menton displaced downward (1.90 mm) and backward (1.50 mm). During the retention period, only anteroposterior displacement was significant, with the right and left gonion (0.97 mm and 1.26 mm) and the menton (2.29 mm) moving forward. Three-dimensional assessment of the mandible in Class II Division 1 patients subjected to RME showed a transitory backward and downward mandibular positioning, without any lateral displacement. The 6-month retention period allowed the mandible shifting significantly forward, exhibiting a more anterior position compared with the initial condition, even remaining in a more downward direction.