Changes in Soft Tissue Profile After Rapid Maxillary Expansion with Bonded Expander

Objectives: In this study the mean changes in soft tissue facial profile were measured after rapid maxillary expansion by using bonded expander in growing patients with narrow maxilla and posterior cross bite.
Methods: A total of 40 Patients (21 boys and 19 girls between age of 10-14 years) [S2] were included in this study. Pre-procedural holdaway soft tissue measurements of soft tissue facial angle, H-angle, superior sulcus depth and skeletal profile convexity were measured on lateral cephalogram. Appliance was bonded to maxillary arch with glass ionomer cement and advice was given for twice a day activation until the desired amount of expansion was achieved in patients. After stabilization period of 3 months, Hyrax was removed and lateral cephalogram was repeated for post-treatment measurements of soft tissue profile
Results: There was decrease in soft tissue facial angle superior sulcus depth and skeletal profile convexity (2mm) while H-angle increases after rapid maxillary expansion.
Conclusions: Rapid maxillary expansion produce beneficial alterations in the soft tissue facial profile at the end of the Treatment period for patients