The Difference Between Rapid and Slow Maxillary Expansion: A Literature Review
Abstract:
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the dentoalveolar and skeletal outcomes between two types of maxillary expansion: rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and slow maxillary expansion (SME).
Materials and Methods: An electronic search was performed using different databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Open, Elsevier, and journals such as The Angle Orthodontist, Progress in Orthodontics, Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics, Angle Orthodontist, and Cureus . From May 2013 to January 2023.
Result: The front teeth are hardly or barely tipped in SME while the RME group had higher inclinations and ten dencies of relapse. There are very few in SME compared with RME. The intensity of pain during the first week is less in SME than RME prolonged treatment period is needed in SME. The RME group showed vague but not significant greater decreases in the buccal bone thickness than the SME at distal root level and mesial root levels, respectively and the outcome greater bodily movement of the teeth in the slow maxillary expansion group. Loss and reduction of height and thickness of bone were detected in both groups, with greater intensity and significance in the slow maxillary expansion group.
Conclusions: This literature Review study describes the efficacy of the two types of expansion for the correction of a constricted maxilla with slow and rapid palatal expansion, which are more efficient when used in a long-term period, for achieving a perfect treatment. During treatment carefully, protocol must be considered in order to pre vent any uncontrolled maxillary movement. As a result, both types of maxillary expansion were effective to promote a dentoalveolar growth in the transversal direction. While there was no significant difference between the Sagittal and vertical measurements.
