Assessment of the efficiency of Erbium-YAG laser as an assistant method to rapid maxillary expansion: An in vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD) is one of the most pervasive and common skeletal problems in the craniofacial complex. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of associating the application of Erbium-YAG laser with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) for treating MTD in young adult patients with permanent dentition in regard to skeletal and dental effects.

METHODS: Twenty-four subjects, aged from 15.5 to 19 years and needing RME as a therapeutic procedure, were randomly assigned to either the laser group (n=12) or the control group (n=12). The RME was realized by a two bands hyrax expander cemented on upper first molars. Patients in the laser group were undergone mucosal-bony perforations along the midpalatal suture every month, for three consecutive months, using Erbium-YAG laser. Postero-anterior cephalograms were taken for all patients. Skeletal and dental changes before and after RPE as well as at the end of the retention phase were collected and compared for both groups. Total time needed for expansion and retention were recorded and compared.

RESULTS: The findings showed more significant changes in most maxillofacial components in the laser group after the expansion phase. However, there was no significant differences with respect to retention or total treatment duration.

CONCLUSIONS: Laser assisted rapid maxillary expansion (LARME) can be a good approach to use for improving skeletal effects in young adult patients suffering from MTD.