Skeletal changes in vertical and anterior displacement of the maxilla with bonded rapid palatal expansion appliances

The purpose of this study was to determine whether anterior and inferior displacement of the maxilla seen with rapid palatal expansion when done with a banded rapid palatal expansion appliance is significantly different from an occlusally bonded rapid palatal expansion appliance. It was hypothesized that the bonded appliance would limit unwanted displacement of the maxilla by producing vertical forces on both arches in a manner similar to a functional appliance. The study was conducted using the bonded appliance on 20 adolescents and comparing the results with those of a banded appliance population—namely, 60 cases from Wertz's study. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before treatment and again after the expansion appliances were removed. The results of this study suggest that the downward and anterior displacement of the maxilla often associated with the banded rapid palatal expansion appliance may be negated or minimized with the more versatile bonded appliance.