Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) have the ability to increase vascular proliferation and permeability. The aim of this study was to quantify the release of two diffusible angiogenic growth factors (VEGF and FGF-2) after rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Thirty animals were randomly assigned to two groups. Control group (5 rats - intact suture) and Experimental groups (25 rats with RME) which were evaluated in different periods of treatment. Five animals were euthanized in different periods of healing at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days after RME. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the gene expression of angiogenic growth factors released on different periods of study. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using ANOVA followed by Tukey test and significance was assumed at a=0.05. RT-PCR showed that mRNAs of VEGF and FGF-2 were expressed in intact palatal suture tissue. mRNAs of VEGF and FGF-2 was upregulated in early periods (24 h) after RME (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). The molecular levels of VEGF never returned to its original baseline values, and FGF-2 expression decreased up to day 5 (p<0.001) and suddenly increased at day 7, returning to its original level. RME increased VEGF secretion, but decreased FGF-2 secretion when compared to intact tissue. The results showed that these angiogenic growth factors are released and regulated in the palatal suture tissue after RME and could make an important contribution to the knowledge of overall reparative response of the suture tissue during the bone remodeling process.

Open bite can be defined as an absence of occlusion, most frequently located in the anterior region of dental arches and its etiology is multifactorial. We present a clinical case of an 8 years and 10 months child presenting an anterior open bite (AOB) with transverse maxillary deficiency caused by tongue thrust during mixed dentition. The malocclusion was corrected by means of a McNamara expander with a palatal crib jointly with the association of speech therapy for tongue repositioning, and otolaryngology to treat adenoid hypertrophy due to its correlation with AOB. The multidisciplinary approach was effective in correcting the malocclusion with stable results after 2 years post-treatment.

dedicação profissional e retidão. Minha gratidão pelo seu apoio e companheirismo. Às minhas filhas, Júlia e Mariana, que são tesouros na minha vida. Aos meus padrinhos, José Maria e Doralice, que sempre me abençoaram com muito afeto. À minha avó, Maria Rosa, que sempre esteve comigo e eu acredito que sempre estará. Às minhas tias, Teresinha e Dora, que do jeito delas sempre estiveram vigilantes no apoio da minha criação. À minha prima Catarina que tem minha admiração e meu carinho especial. À equipe Neo Odonto que segura às pontas na minha ausência da clínica para que eu possa estudar.Aos pacientes que atendi durante todos esses anos de profissão, os quais também são razão de meu estudo continuado.A todos que colaboraram comigo de alguma forma no encorajamento e confiança para que eu concluísse meu Doutorado.