Alveolar bone changes after rapid maxillary expansion with tooth-born appliances: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND

During rapid maxillary expansion (RME), heavy forces are transmitted to the maxilla by the anchored teeth causing buccal inclination and buccal bone loss of posterior teeth.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature in order to investigate whether RME causes periodontal sequelae, assessed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

SEARCH METHODS

Fifteen electronic databases and reference lists of studies were searched up to March 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

To be included in the systematic review, articles must be human studies on growing subjects, with transversal maxillary deficiency treated with RME and with assessment of buccal bone loss by CBCT images. Only randomized and non-randomized trials were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Study characteristics (study design, sample size, age, sex, skeletal maturity, type of appliance, daily activation, evaluated linear measurements, observation period, CBCT settings), and study outcomes (loss of buccal bone thickness and marginal bone) were reported according to the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

On the basis of the applied inclusion criteria, only six articles, three randomized clinical trials and three controlled clinical trials were included. An individual analysis of the selected articles was undertaken. The risks of bias of the six trials were scored as medium to low.

LIMITATIONS

The results of the present systematic review are based on a limited number of studies and only one study included a control group.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

In all considered studies, significant loss of buccal bone thickness and marginal bone level were observed in anchored teeth, following RME. Further prospective studies correlating the radiological data of bone loss to the periodontal soft tissues reaction after RME are required. A preliminary evaluation of the patient-related risk factors for RR may be advisable when considering to administering RME.

REGISTRATION

This systematic review was registered in the National Institute of Health Research database with an appropriate protocol number (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO Protocol: CRD42017062645).

FUNDING

The present study has not received any contributions from private or public funding agencies.