Comparison and evaluation of stresses generated by rapid maxillary expansion and the implant-supported rapid maxillary expansion on the craniofacial structures using finite element method of stress analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe study aimed to evaluate and compare the stress distribution and 3-dimensional displacements along the craniofacial sutures in between the Rapid maxillary Expansion (RME) and Implant supported RME (I-RME).MethodsFinite element model of the skull and the implants were created using ANSYS software. The finite element model thus built composed of 537692 elements and 115694 nodes in RME model & 543078 elements and 117948 nodes with implants model. The forces were applied on the palatal surface of the posterior teeth to cause 5mm of transverse displacement on either side of the palatal halves, making it a total of 10mm. The stresses and the displacement values were obtained and interpreted.ResultsVarying pattern of stress and the displacements with both positive and negative values were seen. The maximum displacement was seen in the case of plain RME model and that too at Pterygomaxillary suture and Mid-palatal suture in descending order. In the case of I-RME maximum displacement was seen at Zygomaticomaxillary suture followed by Pterygomaxillary suture. The displacements produced in all the three planes of space for the plain RME model were greater in comparison to the Implant Supported RME model. And the stresses remained high for all the sutures in case of an I-RME.ConclusionsThere is a definite difference in the stress and the displacement pattern produced by RME and I-RME model and each can be used according to the need of the patient. The stresses generated in case of conventional RME were considerably less than that of the I-RME for all the sutures.

Predictors of midpalatal suture expansion by miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion in young adults: A preliminary study

“…Previous studies have reported that the success rates of MARPE in adults range from 84.2% to 86.96% 12. Although MARPE facilitates more efficient bone splitting than does conventional rapid palatal expansion (RPE),3 if it fails in a post-growth patient, the treatment plan has to be changed to a more invasive surgically assisted RPE. Therefore, identification of predictors of success/failure of MARPE in young adults is clinically meaningful.…”

“…Therefore, identification of predictors of success/failure of MARPE in young adults is clinically meaningful. However, previous studies have focused on predictors of conventional RPE,45 post-MARPE stability,26 or stress and displacement of craniofacial sutures,378 and no study has focused on the predictors of MARPE in young adults.…”

Sutural loading in bone‐ versus dental‐borne rapid palatal expansion: An ex vivo study

“…Previous literature reporting on the distribution of stresses to the craniofacial complex and circummaxillary sutures with BRPE and DRPE is mostly limited to finite element analysis (FEA) studies and has demonstrated varying and often conflicting results. For example, while some studies reported no significant difference in the stress distribution of the zygomaticomaxillary suture between the two groups, 28 others have reported that the stresses generated by DRPE were considerably less than that of BRPE 29,34 …”

“…Once the suture opened, the stored stress was released in the form of sudden sutural separation that was sig- while some studies reported no significant difference in the stress distribution of the zygomaticomaxillary suture between the two groups, 28 others have reported that the stresses generated by DRPE were considerably less than that of BRPE. 29,34 The inconsistencies in the FEA studies can be attributed to the complexity of sutural morphology and highlight the need for experimental findings to support computer stimulation. As Leonardi et al 35 stated, 'it's reasonable to assume that compression, shear and tension forces may coexist in the same suture at different sites'.…”

“…25,26 Despite the increasing use of BRPE, its effects on the alveolar bone and circummaxillary sutures remain largely unknown. Most of the knowledge on this topic comes from finite element analysis computing models [27][28][29][30] with no direct measurement of strains to validate computer findings.…”