| Objective. To compare arch widths, arch perimeter and dental inclinations pre and post-orthodontic treatment in adults whose maxillary and mandibular arches were expanded either surgically or non-surgically using fixed expanders to correct bi-dental arch constriction.; Materials and methods. Study models and lateral cephalograms of 31 non-surgical and 10 surgically expanded subjects were analyzed. The controls were 30 adult orthodontic patients who did not require expansion. Digitized model measurements (OrthoCAD) were: Molar and premolar axial angulation; Transarch widths, Clinical crown height, and Arch perimeter.; Results. Both protocols were successful. There was no statistically significant difference between the non-surgical and the surgical groups in the mean amount of expansion achieved (4mm in the maxilla and 2.5mm in the mandible).; Conclusion. Expansion treatment for patients with bi-dental arch constriction is a viable option. Surgically assisted expansion is not required for the range of expansion achieved in this study. |
