Objectives: To evaluate the maxillary arch dimensions changes occurring with corticotomy assisted Slow Maxillary Expansion (SME).
Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients (4 males and 12 females) requiring maxillary expansion (mean age:19 years; range: 14-24 years) were divided into two groups: Group A: included 10 patients subjected to buccal alveolar corticotomy before SME and Group B:included 6 patients who had only SME.CBCT images were taken at T1(before) and T2 (after). Arch perimeter (AP) and Arch depth (AD) as well as palatal vault height (PVH) were recorded. T-tests (paired, student) determined the significance performed to evaluate the effect of treatment within and between each group.
Results: The significant increase in AP by 2.26 mm in corticotomy group and 1.19 mm in control group, significant decrease in AD -0.6 mm and PVH -0.92 mm immediatly post expansion in corticotomy group only.
Conclusions: Corticotomy assisted expansion produced a significant changes in arch dimensions