Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A three-dimensional anatomic model was duplicated from a human skull, using different birefringent materials
to simulate the various craniofacial structures. Individual bones of the midface were fabricated separately and
then articulated in their correct sutural relation. One removable and four fixed maxillary appliances were used.
The fixed appliances included the Haas, Minne-expander, Hyrax, and quad helix devices. The removable
appliance incorporated an expansion screw in a full acrylic palate with appropriate retentive clasps. After
the insertion of each appliance, intraoral forces were produced by incremental activation. The model was
examined and photographed in the field of a transmission polariscope. Each appliance used produced a different
range of load-activation characteristics. This was reflected by the differences in the stresses transmitted through
the bones of the craniofacial complex and the effect on the various sutures. Stresses produced by the fixed
appliances were concentrated in the anterior region of the palate, progressing posteriorly toward the palatine
bone. The Haas, Minne-expander, and Hyrax appliances produced stresses that radiated superiorly along the
perpendicular plates of the palatine bone to deeper anatomic structures, such as the lacrimal, nasal, and malar
bones, as well as the pterygoid plates of the sphenoid. Similar stress characteristics were seen with the
removable appliance. However, increased activation decreased retention of the appiiance, thereby lessening the
stress. The quad helix appliance proved to be the least effective orthopedic device. Although the effects of palate
separation were seen with increased activation, this appliance primarily affected the posterior teeth.
Fig. 2. Hyrax appliance. A fixed appliance used to increase Fig. 4. Removable appliance. A removable expansion appli-
maxillary width by activating the palatal jackscrew. ance to increase maxillary width by activating palatal jackscrew.
pounds was measured by a deformation gauge on a sion and retention. This study also indicated that the
metal piece of the expander. The forces measured were “facial” skeleton was the main resistance to expan-
horizontal, vertical, and a combination of the two, re- sion. Maximum loads on the patients ranged from 16.6
sulting in a buccal rotational force on the alveolar pounds to 34.8 pounds during treatment. These forces
shelves of the maxilla. A single activation created be- were gradually dissipated during the retention period of
tween 3 and 10 pounds of force that decayed rapidly at 6 weeks. Various pressure sensations were reported,
first and continued to decrease slowly. Isaacson sur- such as under the eyes and at the nasal area (bridge of
mised that the major resistance to the expansion was the nose). Again, as in the prior study, there was a
apparently not in the midpalatal suture but in the re- “total” quantitative force measurement but the forces
mainder of the maxillary articulations, since no sig- in other areas are not known. The reports of pressure
nificant changes in the force values were recorded dur- sensations in other areas do indicate that forces are
ing the time the sutures opened. This research describes probably there, but their magnitude and type (tension or
a “force” which is really the resistance of the bony pressure) remain unknown.
skeleton as a whole to the appliance. There is no men- Histologic studies have been carried out by several
tion of the magnitude or the nature of changes which researchers. In 196 1, Haas’O used an expander on pigs
occur as activation continues. and then killed the pigs to see some of the changes due
In 1965, Zimring and Isaacsong further studied the to expansion forces that had been present. He noted a
forces produced by an appliance similar to that used in bending of the alveolar process and a lowering of the
the 1964 study. Each activation was one fourth of a turn palatal vault. He then put an expander on human pa-
equivalent to 0.2 mm. The appliance was inserted in tients. It was cemented by bands to the first permanent
four patients, and forces were measured during expan- molars and the first premolars or first deciduous molars.
Fig. 7. Quad helix appliance being tested on a straining frame.
r/ifa .__
?ooo-
8ooo-
7oao-
MOO-
SOOO-
4000-
3mo-
SOW-
1ooo-
Fig. 10. Force-activation curves for the jackscrew and Mime-expander appliances.
800
1
(Fig. 8). Bones of the midface were fabricated sepa- forces that were similar. The removable appliance,
rately and then articulated in their correct sutural rela- when fully and firmly seated, delivered the highest
tion. Also, different birefringent materials were used to force of all appliances tested. When unstable, however,
fabricate teeth and the surrounding periodontal lig- the removable appliance was only capable of much
aments . lower forces, similar to those of the Minne-expander.
Each intermaxillary device was inserted onto the Fig. 11 represents the force-activation curve for the
photoelastic model and incrementally activated. Vari- quad helix appliance. When compared to the Minne-
ous anatomic areas of the skull were examined in the expander and jackscrew appliances, the quad helix
field of a circular polariscope (Fig. 9). The stress pat- exerted considerably less force for comparable amounts
terns that resulted were recorded photographically. of activations. For successive increments of expansion,
the quad helix similarly revealed less over-all maxi-
RESULTS mum force when compared to similar activations for
Forceectivatican dmraeteristics the other appliances tested.
Fig. 10 shows the force-activation curves for the Fig. 12 illustrates the typical intraoral adjustments
appliances tested. For each activation, the Minne- that are made to the anterior bridge and inner arms
expander increased in width slightly more than % mm. of the quad helix appliance. As shown in the graph,
For a corresponding activation the Haas, Hyrax, and there was an incremental decrease from the original
removable apphances increased 0.25 mm. The Haas force placed in the appliance with each successive acti-
and Hyrax appliances delivered very high orthopedic vation.
Volume 82 Orthopedic force distribution by maxillav orthodontic appliances 497
Number 6
Fig. 13. Stresses produced by the fixed appliances were con- Fig. 15. Stresses radiated from the maxillary tuberosity to the
centrated in the anterior and posterior regions of the palate. base of the medial pterygoid plate. Darker shading represents
Darker shading represents areas of higher stress. areas of higher stress.
Photoelastic analysis
The Minne-expander appliance revealed a load-
activation curve in a lower orthopedic force range, and The fixed orthopedic appliances tested in this in-
each activation of the expansion device produced less vestigation (the Haas, Hyrax, and Minne-expander de-
of a force increase than the previously mentioned vices) revealed similar photoelastic results. The same
appliances. This was probably due to the fact that each was true with the removable jackscrew appliance when
incremental activation of the expansion element of the it was stabilized to the teeth. As revealed previously,
Minne-expander produced one half the amount of ex- the stresses produced were initially concentrated in the
pansion produced by the jackscrew appliances (l/s mm. anterior region of the palate in the area of the incisive
as compared to 0.25 mm.). Therefore, even though the foramen. This is also observed clinically by the orth-
Minne-expander is not as efficient as the “rapid maxil- odontist, since initial activation of these appliances
lary expansion appliances” that utilize the jackscrew usually produces a separation in the anterior region of
devices, it may be more physiologic because of the the maxilla as indicated by the development of a space
lessened effect to the maxillary sutures and the conse- or diastema between the upper central incisors. As each
quent healing and repair of the latter during the expan- appliance was activated, the forces were observed to
sion procedure. The slower intermaxillary expansion proceed posteriorly toward the interpalatine suture.
produced by the Minne-expander may also produce in- Clinically, this type of force would initiate the inter-
creased stability or retention of the orthopedic result. premolar and intermolar expansion that is necessary in
The load-activation curve produced by incremental cases of maxillary constriction. Also, this is usually
expansion of the quad helix appliance revealed forces seen clinically after the interdental space increase in the
that are considered to be well below those necessary for area of the upper incisors, which follows the pho-
orthopedic movement of the two halves of the maxilla. toelastic observation.
In fact, these forces are considered to be in the tooth- The force was then seen to radiate superiorly along
movement range. However, the question arises as to the perpendicular plates of the palatine bones to deeper
why the quad helix appliance can produce clinical or- anatomic structures that were mentioned previously.
thopedic effects to the maxilla, especially in children The clinical effectiveness of these maxillary orthopedic
during the mixed dentition. On the other hand, only appliances may very well depend on the intricacy of the
expansion of the dentition is usually observed by clini- suture formation within these deeper structures. For
cians when this appliance is used in adults. The answer instance, a limiting factor for maxillary expansion may
to this question is probably that the effects of the quad depend on the fusion or lack of fusion between the
helix appliance are “age dependent. ” In other words, maxilla and the pterygoid plates of the sphenoid bone.
when the midfacial sutures are patent, as seen in chil- As illustrated photoelastically, there was stress ob-
dren in the 7- to 9-year-old range, activation of the served in the area of the base of the medial pterygoid
quad helix meets with little resistance, and hence plates. If the maxilla is fused to these structures, as is
widening of the maxilla occurs. Conversely, during the probable case in adult patients, intermaxillary ex-
adult treatment, the intermaxillary and surrounding su- pansion will be difficult to obtain, regardless of how
tures are less patent or even fused, and therefore or- much the suture between the two halves of the maxilla
thopedic results are much more difficult to obtain. In is affected by the orthopedic forces. Further indications
most cases, an interdental width increase is observed in of the deep anatomic effect of these orthopedic
adults with expansion of the quad helix appliance, appliances were observed by the stress in the areas of
along with often severe tipping of the posterior teeth. the zygomatic process, namely, the zygomaticomaxil-
An interesting thing happened to the force-acti- lary and zygomaticotemporal sutures. This should indi-
vation curve when the usual intraoral adjustments were cate to the clinician that these orthopedic devices
placed in the quad helix appliance. Contrary to the should be used sparingly and judiciously, and with an
belief of most clinicians, there was an actual decrease understanding of what deep anatomic structures are ac-
in the expansion force of the appliance after each of the tually being affected by incremental activation of these
three intraoral activations. If the objective of the in- appliances. In other words, the clinician should realize
traoral activations is to rotate the anchor teeth, there is that, with each activation of these appliances, he or she
clinical evidence to substantiate the fact that these ad- is producing not only an expansion force at the inter-
justments will produce the necessary result. Therefore, maxillary suture but also forces on other structures
on the basis of the results of this study, it is recom- within the craniofacial complex which may or may not
mended that if additional widening of the maxilla is be beneficial for the patient.
necessary the quad helix appliance should be removed, An interesting effect of these appliances was ob-
expanded, and then recemented to the anchor teeth. served in the area of the medial wall of the orbit in the
region of the lacrimal and nasal bones. Clinically, any 4. Stresses produced by the fixed appliances were
clinician who has “split” a palate with these appliances concentrated in the anterior region of the pal-
has heard the complaint from the patient that the in- ate. progressing posteriorly toward the palatine
creased activation of the aforementioned devices has bones.
caused a sensation on either side of the base of the nasal 5. The Haas, Hyrax, and Minne-expander appli-
bones. This feeling has been described by patients as ances produced stresses that radiated superiorly
the same sensation that is experienced upon drinking a along the perpendicular plate of the palatine
glass of very cold beverage. It is now clear that this bone to deeper anatomic structures, such as the
phenomenon is due to the forces in the nasal area that pterygoid plates of the sphenoid, the zygomatic
are produced by activation of the expansion appliances. process, and the medial wall of the orbit.
The stable removable expansion appliance pro- 6. Similar stress characteristics were seen with the
duced photoelastic force observations similar to the removable appliance. However, increased acti-
above except that more of the alveolus surrounding the vation decreased retention of the appliance and
teeth was involved. Perhaps this is an indication that thereby lessened the stress.
this appliance may well be a more effective device 7. The quad helix appliance proved to be the least
because of its increased anchorage. This, of course, effective orthopedic device. Although the ef-
may be more theoretical than practical, since it is sel- fects of palate separation were minimal, in-
dom that the clinician “ties in” this appliance. As creased activation of the appliance affected
mentioned previously, a stable appliance with good tis- primarily the posterior teeth.
sue- and tooth-bearing retention will increase the or-
thopedic effectiveness with incremental activations of
REFERENCES
the activating element. 1. Angell, E. C.: Treatment of irregularities of the permanent or
The quad helix appliance proved to be the least adult teeth. Dent. Cosmos 1: 540-44. 599-601, 1860.
effective orthopedic device. Although the effect of 2. Black, G. V.: Expansion of the dental arch, Dent. Rev. 7: 21%
palate separation was minimal with increased activa- 224, 1893.
3. Babcock. J. H.: The screw expansion plate, Dent. Record 31:
tion, this device was observed to affect primarily the
588-590. 596-599, 191 1.
posterior teeth, especially those to which it was an- 4. Pfaff, W.: Stenosis of the nasal cavity caused by contraction of
chored. An increased amount of stress was observed in the palatal arch and abnormal position of the teeth: Treatment by
this area after each succeeding intraoral activation of expansion of the maxilla, Dent. Cosmos 47: 570-573, 1905.
the appliance. Since these adjustments did not produce 5. Ketchum, A. A.: Treatment by the orthodontist supplementing
that by the rhinologist, Dent. Cosmos 54:1312-1321, 1912.
any increase in actual width of the appliance, as men-
6. Black, N. M.: The relation between deviation of the rndsal sep-
tioned previously, it is then safe to surmise that the tum and irregularities of the teeth and jaws, J.A.M.A. 52: 943-
activations probably produced a rotation of the simu- 945, 1909.
lated anchor teeth. This, of course, is a desirable force, 7. Isaacson, R. J.. Wood, J. L., and Ingram, A. H.: Forces pro-
since mesiobuccal rotation of the maxillary molars is duced by rapid maxillary expansion. 1. Design of the force mea-
suring system, Angle Orthod. 34: 256-260, 1964.
favorable in the treatment of Class II malocclusions.
8. Isaacson, R. J., and Ingram, A. H.: Forces produced by rapid
maxillary expansion. Part II. Forces present during treatment,
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Angle Orthod. 34: 261-269, 1964.
Force-activation characteristics and photoelastic 9. Zimring. J. F., and Isaacson, R. J.: Forces produced by rapid
stress were observed for various maxillary orthodontic maxillary expansion. III. Forces present during retention, Angle
Orthod. 35: 178-186, 1965.
appliances. The following conclusions can be drawn
10. Haas, A. J.: Rapid expansion of the maxillary dental arch and
from this investigation: nasal cavity by opening the midpalatal suture, Angle Orthod. 31:
1. The Haas, Hyrax, and stable removable jack- 73-90, 1961.
screw appliances revealed the most significant Il. Starnbach. H., Bayne, D., Cleall, J., and Subtelny, J. D.:
amounts of orthopedic force with each incre- Facioskeletal and dental changes resulting from rapid maxillary
expansion, Angle Orthod. 36: 152-164, 1966.
mental activation of the devices.
12. Gardner, G. E., and Kronman, J. H.: Cranioskeletal displace-
2. The Minne-expander appliance showed less ments caused by rapid palatal expansion in the rhesus monkey.
force with each activation, but that which was AM. J. ORTHOD. 5% 146-155, 1971.
produced was within the orthopedic range. 13 Storey. E.: Tissue response to the movement of bones, AM. J.
3. The quad helix appliance produced forces less ORTHOD. 6rl: 229-247, 1973.
14 Wertz, R., and Dreskin, M.: Midpalatal suture opening: A nor-
than the orthopedic range and was therefore
mative study, AM. J. ORTHOD. 71: 367-381, 1977.
considered to be an orthodontic appliance except 15 Chaconas, S. J., and de Alba y Levy, J. A.: Orthopedic and
when used in younger patients in whom the su- orthodontic application of the quad helix appliance, AM J.
tures are patent. ORTHOD. 72: 422-428. 1977.
Volume 82 Orthopedic force distribution by maxillary orthodontic appliances 501
Number 6
16. Hicks, E. P.: Slow maxillary expansion, AM. J. ORTHOD. 73: 20. Harberson, V. A., and Myers, D. R.: Midpalatal suture opening
121-141, 1978. during functional posterior cross-bite correction, AM. J. OR-
17. Timms, D. J.: A study of basal movement with rapid maxillary THOD. 74: 310-313, 1978.
expansion, AM. J. ORTHOD. 77: 500-507, 1980. 21. Bell, W. H., and Turvey, T. A.: Surgical correction of posterior
18. Bell, R. A., and Le Compte, E. J.: The effects of maxillary cross-bite, J. Oral Surg. 32: 81 l-816, 1974.
expansion using the quad helix appliance during the deciduous 22. Kennedy, J. W., Bell, W. H., Kimbrough, 0. L., and James,
and mixed dentitions, AM. J. ORTHOD. 79: 152-161, 1981. W. B.: Osteotomy as an adjunct to rapid maxillary expansion,
19. Bell, R. A.: A review of maxillary expansion in relation to rate AM. J. ORTHOD. 70: 123-137, 1976.
of expansion to a patient’s age, AM. J. ORTHOD. 81: 32-37,
1982.