Efficacy of the Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion: An Original Research

Introduction: One of the most common procedures done in orthodontics is the rapid maxillary expansion for the treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency. Hence, in the present study, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of the rapid palatal expansion assisted with the miniscrews.

Materials and methods: We piloted a prospective observational study among 50 age-matched adolescent participants. They were grouped equally to receive miniscrew and tooth-borne expanders. The alterations after 6 months of wearing the expanders were calculated for the root length variations of the premolars, tipping of the tooth, buccal bone thickness, and the transverse skeletal widths using the "cone-beam computed tomography" images. Comparison of the values was done between the groups using the Chi-square and ANOVA test, deliberating P < 0.05 as significant.

Results: We observed significantly greater values for the miniscrew expander for all the four parameters than the tooth-borne device. However, there was no significant variation for the root lengths variations between the two groups. No tipping was noted for the miniscrew expander.

Conclusions: The miniscrew palatal expander brought faster expansion of the palate than the conventional palatal expanders. The miniscrews were also safe with no adverse effects and were efficus.