Purpose: To study the changes in maxillary dimensions after the application of a new distractor on 10 adult patients affected by severe palatal constriction.
Materials and methods: The palatal distractor device was made of a Rematitan titanium expansion screw (Dentaurum) welded to 2 titanium miniplates (LEIBINGER) on patient's models. The device was applied using four 8-mm screws, activated 0.20 mm 4 times a day, and blocked for 4 months. The intermolar, interpremolar, and intercanine distances were measured before the palatal distractor device application and 1 week and 4 months after activation. Changes in dental angulation in the frontal plane, the intermolar, and the interpremolar angle variations were measured.
Results: There was an increase of the arch perimeter, well correlated with the expansion at dental level, resulting in teeth crowding resolution. The changes in dental angulation in the frontal plane were minimal, indicating mainly a skeletal movement.
Conclusions: The device produces mainly a skeletal movement and a minimal dental angulation movement.