Comparison between removable devices in palatal expansion: a randomised open label clinical trial.

Abstract

Aim: Posterior crossbite is a very frequent malocclusion in the Caucasian population and is most often associated with hypoplasia or retrusion of the upper jaw. Treatment involves palatal expansion with the use of fixed or removable orthodontic devices. The aim of the present study is to compare two different devices used in expansion: the Eptamed Equilibrator elastodontic device (series 00) with the Schwartz plate, which is traditionally used in palatal expansion.

Materials: 70 children (30 boys and 40 girls, average age: 11 ± 1 years) were recruited and divided into a test group and a control group. The test group underwent palatal expansion with the elastodontic device, the control group with the Schwartz plate. Controls were carried out at 6 months and 12 months after the start of treatment. The distance between the cusps of the first upper premolars was taken as the reference or the width between the second deciduous molars. For statistical analysis, the t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test for continuous variables and chi-square test or Kruskal-Wallis test for categorical variables were used.

Conclusion: The Eptamed Equilibrator device allows palatal expansion like that achieved with traditional expansion devices, but with greater comfort and greater compliance for patients.