DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2021.v08i01.005

Pages: 25-40

Transverse maxillary hypoplasia, in adolescents and adults, is frequently seen in nonsyndromal and syndromal patients including cleft patients. In skeletally matured patients, the uni or bilateral transverse hypoplasia can be corrected by means of a surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. The treatment is a combination of orthodontics and surgical procedures and provides dental arch space for alignment of teeth. The procedure also causes a substantial enlargement of the maxillary apical base and of the palatal vault, providing space for the tongue for correct swallowing and thus preventing relapse. In addition, a distinct subjective improvement in nasal breathing associated with enlargement of the nasal valve towards normal values is seen with an increase of nasal volume in all compartments. A review of SARPE in general has been highlighted in this article.