Initial Results Regarding Force Exertion during Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Children

Abstract

The forces occurring on the maxilla increased up to 120 N. There was considerable variation in force level from patient to patient. After "rupture" of the midpalatal suture, the forces decreased. The remaining forces seemed to be the result from stress on soft tissue and bone.

Stress distribution and displacement analysis during an intermaxillary disjunction—A three-dimensional FEM study of a human skull

“…A force between 70 and 120 N was also measured during maxillary expansion treatment of patients at the Department of Orthodontics of the University of Ulm (Sander et al, 2006). An expansion force of 100 N was therefore used for the force simulation.…”

In-vitro results of rapid maxillary expansion on adults compared with finite element simulations

“…Our department performed RME experiments on juveniles where the palatine suture still comprised cartilage (Sander et al, 2006(Sander et al, , 2007. No surgical weakening is necessary with juveniles, but for adults with ossified sutures it was decided to investigate the effects elicited by application of high transverse force.…”

Craniofacial Stress Patterns and Displacements After Activation of Hyrax Device: Finite Element Modelling

“…Moreover, devices of this type are less traumatic and more comfortable for the patients besides having a low incidence of complications after application. At the same time, the design features of the orthodontic appliances for RME, including Hyrax devices, significantly affect the intensity and nature of motions of the skull bone structures and teeth [8,9,19,23].…”