European Journal of Orthodontics, cilt.30, sa.3, ss.239-243, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
The objective of the present study was to evaluate short-term soft tissue changes caused by rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in 18 subjects (15 females and 3 males) (mean age 13 years 6 months) with a bilateral posterior crossbite. Lateral cephalograms of the patients were obtained at three different time points: before RME (T1), after maxillary expansion (mean = 0.82 month) (T2), and after retention (mean = 5.95 months) (T3). Holdaway soft tissue measurements were used for the evaluation of soft tissue changes. Data were analysed statistically by means of paired t-tests.The facial soft tissue angle decreased (P < 0.05), and H angle and skeletal profile convexity increased significantly (P < 0.001) at T2. During T3, the increase in the facial soft tissue angle and the decrease in H angle were minimal and not significant, while skeletal profile convexity significantly decreased (P < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that RME may affect Holdaway soft tissue measurements. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved.