Three-dimensional changes of the zygomaticomaxillary complex after mini-implant assisted rapid maxillary expansion

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate 3-dimensional changes of the zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) after mini-implant assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARME). Methods A total of 15 pairs of cone-beam computed tomography 3-dimensional images taken before expansion (T0) and after expansion (T1) were analyzed by measuring changes in the coordinates of the landmarks of the ZMC. Results Changes in the x coordinates of the landmarks showed significant expansion (P  Conclusions 3-Dimensional changes of the ZMC after MARME showed expansion in a pyramidal shape from the coronal view, downward and forward displacement from the sagittal view, and parallel palatal expansion from the axial view. These findings might be useful for understanding skeletal expansion patterns using MARME.