Indications for RME

An absolute narrow maxilla, a difference between the maxillary and mandibular first molar and premolar widths of at least 4 mm.

Class III malocclusion with narrow maxilla/pseudo-Class III of dental and skeletal in nature

Nasal stenosis combined with a narrow maxilla

Severe case of many teeth in cross-bite

A quick expansion is the preferred method when the maxillary molars are buccally inclined, since a traditional dentoalveolar expansion will tip them farther into the buccal musculature. The mandibular molars may exhibit lingually inclined dentoalveolar compensations in a different scenario involving a small maxilla. Cross-bite and the requirement for maxillary skeletal growth would arise from an attempt to position the mandibular dental segments on the skeletal basis.

When compared to an untreated control group RME in the early mixed dentition seems to be a successful technique for increasing the rate of eruption of palatally misplaced maxillary canines(65.7%).

Contraindications for RME

Subjects with convex profiles, steep mandibular planes, and anterior open bites are typically not treated with RME. For RME therapy, an increased mandibular plane angle is not a strict rule.

Age. When the midpalatal suture has undergone synostosis, it is the top age limit. Adjunctive surgery, however, overcomes this.

Inadequate anchoring support is caused by poor periodontal health

A normal state for this type of face is one in which the mandible and maxilla are both constricted.

Design of RME

RME devices can be classified into bonded or banded appliances based on how they are placed in the mouth. The banded expansion appliance is connected to teeth using bands located on the maxillary first molars and first premolars. Hass's initial RME design suggested adding an acrylic cover to the palatal vault. This appliance design was rejected because of the challenge in maintaining cleanliness, especially on the palatal side. As a result, the wire framework hygienic expander or HYRAX appliance was brought into use. Banded appliances are not suitable for use in deciduous and early mixed dentition.^[9] The different appliance design consists of a wire framework and acrylic components that aid in securing the appliance. Individuals with high FMA also show similar design of RME appliance. Extending occlusal acrylic over buccal surfaces can help minimize molar extrusion. This device is especially beneficial in Class II situations, as the extraction of molars would lead to a backward and downward movement of the jaw, which would increase the facial convexity and the vertical dimension of the lower face. ^[10] The bonded maxillary expansion device helps correct anterior cross-bite in Class III young patients by creating a bite block effect. The fixed appliance design can also be utilized in the adult teeth due to its convenient handling process and various beneficial clinical outcomes. The necessity for putting on and taking off separation elastics, adjusting bands, transferring into alginate impression, bending precision wire, and soldering is no longer required. ^[9], ^[10]

Cemented hygienic rapid expansion (HYRAX) appliance

The critical design of the cemented HYRAX appliance requires the acrylic plate to cover the teeth crowns, with only 1 mm of space at the gingival margins on the buccal and palatal sides([Figure 3]). This ensures that there is enough space at the gingival line for maintaining good oral hygiene and the ideal coverage for retention. Acrylic extensions with chamfer finishes have a lower food lodgement. It is not necessary for acrylic occlusal covering to be thicker than 1-2 mm, and it should have holes drilled into it to allow any excess cement to be released. Modern glass ionomer cement significantly improves cemented expander retention, obviating the necessity for acrylic or composite-based materials that require acid-etching processes. The screw should be positioned as high in the palatal vault as is practical, regardless of the type of device. With the thread axis aligned with the front edge of the first permanent molars, the screw is positioned in the centre of the arch. ^[11]

Palatal expansion screw

The expansion screw design of the maxillary expansion has an acrylic body with a parallel screw inside of it. The acrylic plate is separated in the middle of the palate, and clasps keep the appliance in place on the teeth. The palatal split and expansion screw are sealed with acrylic after the required expansion is attained( [Figure 5]). The identical device can serve as a retainer for a duration of 6 to 8 months. In certain situations, it may be necessary to have occlusal coverage in order to release occlusion and allow for expansion.^[13]

Wire framework expander appliances

Wire frame maxillary expansion devices are primarily used to promote growth of the dental arch. The device can have a removable construction that slides into the inner sheets of the upper first or second molars, or it can be welded or soldered to the inside of the first molar bands. With its acrylic body, the coffin spring could be considered the oldest type of wire maxillary expander.^[14]

Quad helix/tri-helix appliance

The quad helix appliance, a variant of Coffin's W-spring, was initially described by R.M. Ricketts as a treatment for patients with cleft palates who had significant collapse. The four helices on the W-spring improve its control over expansion, lengthen its activation range, and boost its flexibility. In cases of cross-bite, the palatal arms of the device can be adjusted to correct the needs of the arch. The quad helix device measures 0.038 inches in size. Depending on the patient's age, bands are joined to either the baby second molars or the first permanent molars in the upper jaw via stainless steel wire. In prepubertal children, the quad helix appliance functions through a mix of buccal tipping and skeletal expansion at a 6:1 ratio.^[15] Chaconas et al. found that around 14 ounces of force is generated by an initial 8 mm expansion before cementation. This amount of force is enough to move teeth, but usually not adequate to cause orthopedic changes in adults with a closed mid-palatal suture. Yet, resistance at the patent suture is typically lower in children with deciduous or early mixed dentition compared to the dentoalveolar area. This device can expand the maxilla orthopedically in children([Figure 6]). ^[16]

The expansion was deemed sufficient as long as the maxillary lingual cusp made contact with the mandibular buccal cusp on both sides in centric relation. It is suggested to slightly overexpand by around 2-3 mm in order to account for the uprighting of the buccally tipped teeth after retention is stopped. The quad helix appliance is held in the widened yet relaxed position for a 6-week period once the proper expansion is reached. At times, the device may create a mark on the tongue. Nonetheless, this will quickly fade away once the appliance is taken out. ^[16], ^[17]

By removing the lateral forced bite, treatment with a quad helix appliance, which aims to extend the maxillary arch, creates ideal conditions for proper growth of the jaws, TMJ, and face. A systematic review indicates that 16% to 50% of individuals may have spontaneous correction of this issue in the absence of treatment. ^[4]

Nonetheless, the success rate with RME and the quad helix appliance is almost 100%. While occlusal grinding can be helpful, it is not always effective(27–90%), and expansion plates are significantly less effective(51%–100%). Premature deciduous tooth contacts can be removed to effectively stop a posterior cross-bite from continuing into the adult teeth and mixed dentition. Therefore, the most evidence-based form of therapy may not be the most effective one. Every case should receive individual attention based on the severity and nature of the issue, as well as ongoing monitoring. ^[18]

NiTi expander

The NiTi expander was introduced to the orthodontic profession by Wendell V. Arndt([Figure 7]). All stainless steel, including the lateral palatal arms, is used throughout the device, with the exception of its center component, which is constructed from a thermally activated NiTi alloy. By utilising the form memory and transition temperature of titanium, the NiTi is able to function. Activation of nickel-titanium expanders is not necessary once they are inserted into the lingual tubes. ^[19] The negatively rotated molars expand and derotate effectively simultaneously as a result of the activated device. The nickel titanium expander has a transition temperature of 94 °F. When it's cold before insertion, it may be twisted more easily and is more pliable. The expander starts to apply a gentle, constant push to the teeth and the mid-palatal suture as the mouth warms the appliance, metal stiffening and restoring from memory. A 3mm expansion increment only produces a force of roughly 360g. There are eight distinct intermolar widths for nickel titanium expanders, ranging from 26 to 44 mm, and they produce forces between 180 and 300g.

For younger patients, the softer wires in the 26–32 mm sizes result in lower force levels. The clinician assesses the required expansion and adds 3 mm for overcorrection to establish the proper size. Measuring the mandibular intermolar distance at the central fossa is an easy approach to figure out the right size. To get ready for lingual sheet insertion, the expander assembly can be wrapped with the freeze-gel packs that come with the expander kits. This will enable the device to cool down sufficiently for simple insertion into the lingual sheaths. To prevent heating the nickel titanium, the expander should be held by the molar attachments during insertion.^[20] Slightly beyond the molar bands will be where the passive appliance is located. When the nickel titanium is distorted for insertion, it causes an initial activation that rotates the molars distally and expands the bicuspids and molars. Baccetti et al. noted improvements in the maxillary first molars mid-palatal rotation and posterior cross-bite. Dentoalveolar expansion and molar derotation are successfully achieved with the NiTi expander. When cleft patients show substantial molar rotation and anterior arch collapse, the author prefers to utilize the NiTi appliance. Mini-implant connected quickly to the palate. A hybrid hyrax, a mini-implant supported expander appliance is supported on both the tooth and the bone. The growing need for orthodontics among adult patients has led to a rise in popularity for the skeletal anchored expansion appliance, which can split the mid palatal suture in adults. ^[21], ^[22]

Alt-RAMEC

Liou created the Alt-RAMEC protocol, which effectively disarticulated teeth without excessively enlarging the dental arch([Figure 8]). This procedure mirrored distraction osteogenesis. Patients with or without clefts can utilize it. He employed a unique double-hinged expander, the placement of which allowed the maxilla to migrate forward more readily as the center of rotation was close to the maxillary tuberosity. The specialized hinge screw can alternatively be substituted with the Hyrax expander. For anterior displacement, double-hinged expanders have been shown to be superior to the other varieties. ^[15], ^[18]

According to the Alt-RAMEC protocol, maxillary expansion of one millimeter per day must be followed by seven days of maxillary constriction of one millimeter per day. Following a 7–9 week repetition of this cycle, the maxilla was lengthened using a traditional facemask with extraoral elastics or a fixed intraoral ®–Ti maxillary protraction spring. By moving the jaw downward and tilting the palatal plane upward, the ®-Ti maxillary protraction spring opens the bite. Therefore, it should not be used by those with an anterior open bite or a high mandibular plane angle. Using a ®-Ti maxillary protraction spring, it has been demonstrated that for growing patients with cleft lip and palate, the amount of maxillary protraction was 5.8 ± 2.3 mm in 3 months (2 months of Alt-RAMEC followed by one month of protraction) and two years later, the outcomes didn't change. Studies have shown that the maxilla migrates forward more when Alt-RAMEC and facemask therapy are used together than when the RME facemask method is used alone. Maxillary protraction does not need to wait for the completion of the Alt-RAMEC procedure. The facemask treatment can begin at the same time as the expansion regimen. On the other hand, it was said that the fast maxillary expansion group was more compliant than the Alt-RAMEC group. ^[23], ^[24]