Assessment of Alveolar Bone Loss and Buccal Bone Thickness After Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the changes in alveolar bone height (ABH) and buccal bone thickness (BBT) of the maxillary teeth after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 9 patients with preoperative and postoperative CBCT records were included in this study. All patients underwent SARME and all of them received a modified acrylic bonded appliance as a maxillary expander. CBCT images were taken before SARME (T1) and after a consolidation period of 3 to 4 months (T2). ABH was determined by measuring the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest on CBCT images. To evaluate BBT, two different points were identified along the root surface. Results: Alveolar bone loss (ABL) detected between T1 and T2 ABH measurements was statistically significant at all sites of each tooth. There was a statistically significant decrease in BBT at all measured points of each tooth between the T1 and T2 measurements. Conclusion: SARME with modified acrylic-bonded appliances causes ABL and a decrease in BBT, which increases the risk of tooth loss and gingival recession.