Indirect digital radiographic study about the effect of surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME) on the nasal septum

Eduardo Sanches GONÇALVES, Diogo Souza Ferreira Rubim de ASSIS, Ana Lúcia Álvares CAPELOZZA, Luiz Casati ALVARES

Introduction: Maxillary transversal deficiency is characterized by constricted maxillary arch, dental crowding and rotation, along with posterior uni or bilateral crossbite. The treatment of this deficiency is based on the widening of maxillary bone. In skeletal mature patients the maxillary expansion is achieved by means of surgical-orthodontic procedures (known as surgically assisted maxillary expansion – SAME) that can cause some effects on the nasal cavity and septum. Aim: To evaluate the behavior of the nasal septum after the procedures of SAME. Methods: Post-anterior cephalometric and maxillary occlusal radiographs, taken by conventional technique and therefore digitalized, were analyzed from 16 patients undergone SAME. For all patients, the SAME technique consisted of subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy. The radiographs were taken before the surgical procedure, right after (mediate post-operatory time) or after the expansion, and thereafter digitalized and measured using DIGORA program. Also, the distances between teeth (canines, first premolars, second premolars, first molars and second molars) were registered. Results: The statistical treatment showed an increase in interdental and intermaxillary distances, along with an increase in the width of the base of piriform aperture and in the distances between the base of lateral wall of the piriform aperture and nasal septum. Conclusion: SAME is an efficient procedure that seems not to influence the septum position.

Keywords: Maxillary transversal deficit. Maxillary expansion. Nasal septum.

Monday, April 29, 2024 17:01