Post expansion evaluation of the midpalatal suture in children submitted to rapid palatal expansion: A CT study
Omar Gabriel da Silva Filho / Tulio Silva Lara / Helena Cristina da Silva / Francisco Antônio Bertoz

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the midpalatal suture in children submitted to rapid palatal expansion, at the end of the retention stage, with CT scans. The sample was comprised of 17 children aged between 5 years 2 months and 10 years 5 months. The tomographic images showed that the midpalatal suture was completely ossified from the anterior nasal spine area to the posterior nasal spine area at the end of the retention phase, that is, 8 to 9 months post-expansion.
Key words: Palatal expansion technique; tomography; orthodontics; suture.