Clinical evaluation of the alar base width of patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion

Abstract

PROPOSITION: The aim of this study was to evaluate both the presence and magnitude of the modifications occurred in the alar base width, in patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME).

Methods: The alar base width of 13 patients submitted to SAME followed by alar base suture and simple V-Y suture was measured by using direct measuring with digital paquimeter during regular periods: pre-operative and 2, 6, 24, and 36 months post-operative. Data were submitted to statistical analysis by using ANOVA and Tukey's test with level of significance of 5%.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) of the alar base width in the comparison between the pre-operative and the 6-, 24-, and 36-month post-operative periods.

Conclusion: SAME procedure increased the alar base width even performing the alar bases sutures; however, despite the widening of 1.6 mm, the clinical result was not compromised and better than without the technique.