Rapid maxillary expansion assisted by mini-implants anchorage: A case report

Abstract

Summary Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthopaedic treatment frequently used to correct transversal problems in the maxilla. The aim of this case report was to evaluate the transversal skeletal and dental changes in a 12-year-old male patient with maxillary atresia and bilateral posterior crossbite who had been treated with rapid maxillary expansion assisted by mini-implant anchorage. The results showed an increase of 6.2 mm in the maxillary width, an increase of 6 mm, 8 mm and 9 mm in the fossa-fossa measurements between first premolars, second premolars and first molars respectively, also there was a vestibuloversion of molars as an undesirable effect. Mini-implants, as skeletal anchorage in rapid maxillary appliances is a good alternative to achieve an increase of transverse skeletal and dental dimensions with a minimum amount of side effects.