Computerized Tomography Assessment of UCLP Patients Rapid Maxillary Expansion

Objective To study the effect of rapid maxillary expansion on the skeletal nasomaxillary structure. Methods Four UCLP patients in the period of permanent teeth (mean age: 13 years) were treated with rapid maxillary expansion. Computerized tomography was taken in pretreatment and posttreatment periods to evaluate the changes of various levels of the structure. The scanned images of each level were processed by the computer image analysis system. Results Wider splitting was exhibited at the fissure region than that of the nasal base and oromaxillaries, while the density of tissues at each level was decreased. Conclusion Rapid maxillary expansion on UCLP patient will achieve maximum expansion at the center of fissure of the maxillary bone. No mineralization of the mid-palate structure and soft tissue changes occur after treatment.