ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the limitations of the normal and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion applications. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group one was orthopedically expanded and consisted of 8 males and 8 females, totally 16 patients with a mean age of 15.1 ± 1.3 years. Group two received surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion and consisted of 8 males 8 females, totally 16 patients with a mean age 1 of 18.4±1.9 years. Dental models, posteroanterior and lateral cephalograms were obtained immediately before and after expansion. Intra and intergroup treatment changes were evaluated with paired and student's t-tests respectively. Both normal and the surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion applications showed similar effects on the dentofacial structures. Conclusion; when the separation of the midpalatal suture does not occur, surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion application should be considered.