ObjectiveThis study aimed at evaluating buccal and lingual bone plate changes caused by
rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in the mixed dentition by means of computed
tomography (CT).MethodsThe sample comprised spiral CT exams taken from 22 mixed dentition patients from 6
to 9 years of age (mean age of 8.1 years) presenting constricted maxillary arch
treated with Haas-type expanders. Patients were submitted to spiral CT scan before
expansion and after the screw activation period with a 30-day interval between T1
and T2. Multiplanar reconstruction was used to measure buccal and lingual bone
plate thickness and buccal bone crest level of maxillary posterior deciduous and
permanent teeth. Changes induced by expansion were evaluated using paired t test
(p < 0.05).ResultsThickness of buccal and lingual bone plates of posterior teeth remained unchanged
during the expansion period, except for deciduous second molars which showed a
slight reduction in bone thickness at the distal region of its buccal aspect.
Buccal bone dehiscences were not observed in the supporting teeth after
expansion.ConclusionRME performed in mixed dentition did not produce immediate undesirable effects on
periodontal bone tissues.
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