SKELETAL AND DENTAL CHANGES AFTER MAXILLARY EXPANSION IN THE MIXED DENTITION

The purpose of this study was to compare skeletal and dental aspects o f three different expansion methods in the mixed dentition period in s agittal, vertical, and transversal planes, treatment periods, complica tions, and relapse tendencies in early periods. Patients with unilater al or bilateral posterior crossbites in the mixed dentition were studi ed. They were divided into three groups of 10 patients in each group. The first group received treatment with removable plates for semirapid maxillary expansion; the second group with quad-helix appliances for slow maxillary expansion; and the third group with conventional fixed hyrax appliances for rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Lateral and post eroanterior cephalometric films, occlusal films, and dental casts were taken before and after expansion, and after retention with the same a ppliances. Cephalometric and dental cast analyses were made. Both skel etal and dental changes were observed after all three expansion method s.