Effect of customized 3D-printed MARPE appliance on hard tissues, soft tissues, and airway: A prospective CBCT study

Background

The advances in technology have enabled the customization of appliances including mini-screw-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) appliances for skeletal expansion in young adult patients. The study assessed the short-term effects of customized MARPE appliances on the hard tissues, soft tissues, and airway volume over a period of 6 months.

Methods

A total of 15 patients in the age range of 15 to 25 years were treated for transverse maxillary deficiency using a three-dimensional (3D) printed customized MARPE appliance. The changes in hard tissues, soft tissues, and airway volume were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography before expansion (T0) and at 6 months post-expansion (T1). The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine files were analyzed for post-expansion changes using the NemoCeph 3D and 3D Slicer 5.6.1 software.

Results

An effective skeletal expansion was observed with significant changes in intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar width; and decreased mid-palatal suture density in the anterior region (P < .05). The changes in tooth inclination and alveolar bone thickness were mostly non-significant apart from a significant decrease in buccal bone thickness in the coronal third region (P < .05). There was no significant root resorption or change in airway volumes (P > .05). The philtrum height increased significantly by 1.17 mm (P = .019) with no significant change on right and left sides.

Conclusions

Rapid palatal expansion with 3D-printed customized MARPE enables effective and symmetrical expansion with a significant increase in philtrum height and no significant adverse effects in terms of alveolar bone thickness, dental inclination, root resorption, and airway volumes.