Rapid maxillary expansion in the deciduous and mixed dentition evaluated through posteroanterior cephalometric analysis

Abstract

There is an agreement among orthodontists that a posterior crossbite relationship should be treated early. The Haas expansion appliance is frequently chosen whenever a maxillary skeletal constriction exists in the deciduous, mixed, or permanent dentition. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of rapid maxillary expansion for 32 children between 5 and 11 years of age, by inspection of anteroposterior radiographs. Our results confirm previous data in the literature that the triangular opening in the frontal alveolar area is greater than in other parts of the midpalatal suture. It is evident that with expansion there is a real orthodontic effect, even at an early age.