• Submission Form (PDF)
• Author Guidelines (PDF)
• Submit

• Accepted Manuscripts

Back

Volume 28 , Issue 1
January/February 2013
Pages e11–e16

Use of a Modified Expander During Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Adults: An In Vitro and Finite Element Study

Andrew Boryor, Dr Biol Hum, Dipl-Ing/Ansgar Hohmann, Dr Biol Hum, Dipl-Phys/Arthur Wunderlich, Dr Rer Nat, Dipl-Phys/Martin Geiger, Dipl-Phys/Fatih Kilic, Dipl-Dok/Ki Beom Kim, DDS, MSD, PhD/Martin Sander, PD, Dr Med Dent/Tobias Böckers, Prof Dr Med/Christian Sander, PD, Dr Med Dent

PMID: 23377077
DOI: 10.11607/jomi.2078

Purpose: This preliminary study was performed to evaluate a proposed maxillary expansion treatment method for adults with fused intermaxillary sutures. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in three Thiel-fixed skulls from older female cadavers with a microimplant-supported expansion screw. This modified expansion screw was mounted on the palatine process with microimplants and activated every 15 to 20 seconds with an activation key until the intermaxillary suture ruptured. A strain gauge was bonded to the expansion screw and calibrated so it could be used as a force sensor device. Rupture of the intermaxillary suture was indicated by a sudden drop in the registered force, through visible opening of the suture, and via computed tomographic data. Finite element simulations were performed, which led to the experimental testing. Results: Rupture of the intermaxillary suture was achieved in all three experiments with the microimplantsupported screw. The strain measurement on one of the expansion screws resulted in an expansion force of 86 N. Finite element simulations showed a high tensile stress concentration exerted by the microimplantsupported expansion screw on the intermaxillary suture. Conclusion: The applied expansion force led to high tensile stress concentrations, mainly on the intermaxillary sutures, resulting in the opening of fused intermaxillary sutures. This method may help adults to be treated by an orthodontist, thereby avoiding surgical intervention. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2013;28:e11–e16. doi: 10.11607/jomi.2078

Full Text PDF File | Order Article

 

 

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files. This is a free program available from the Adobe web site.
Follow the download directions on the Adobe web site to get your copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.