ObjectiveThe effects of using a maxillary skeletal expander (MSE) on the orbital volume and width between periorbital bones in the treatment of adult female patients with maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD) were evalua⁃ted.
MethodsA total of 20 adult female patients with MTD with an average age of (22.60±6.29) years were included in the study. The patients were treated with MSE. Cone beam computed tomography was performed before expansion (T0) and no more than 3 weeks after expansion (T1). Orbital volume and periorbital bone width were measured with Mimics 21.0 and analyzed with SPSS 20.0. Pairedt-test was performed, and aPvalue of <0 .05 indicated significant difference.
ResultsAfter expansion, the orbital volume increased by (346.80±275.31) mm3(P<0 .05). the width between the right and left zygomaticomaxillary sutures increased by (1.69±0.57) mm (P<0 .05), and the width between the right and left infraorbital points increased by (1.71±0.70) mm (P<0 .05). however, the width between the right and left frontozygomatic sutures increased by (0.15±0.32) mm (P>0.05). Finally, the width between the right and left supraorbital points increased by (0.23±0.52) mm (P>0.05).
ConclusionThe maxillary skeletal expander slightly expanded the orbital volume in the adult female patients and increased the lateral widths of the periorbital bones.
