Comparison of mini-screw-assisted rapid maxillary expansion in adolescents with different body mass indices: a prospective clinical study

Objectives The objective of the present study was to compare the dentoskeletal effects of mini-screw-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in children with different body mass index (BMI) percentiles. Study design The study was performed on 20 patients who were divided into two groups based on their BMI percentiles as normal-weight (n = 10) and overweight-obese (n = 10). The linear, angular and area analyses were performed on lateral and postero-anterior cephalometric radiographs and three-dimensional dental models before and after RME therapy. Results A statistically significant increase was observed in maxillary intermolar and intercanine distances and palatal area measurements in both groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups when dental RME changes were measured on 3D models. A significant difference was observed in latero-nasal and maxillo-mandibular width as well as postero-anterior cephalometric parameters between the groups (P < 0.05). While a significant change was observed in the SN-GoMe, FMA, Z angle, Wits appraisal, total anterior facial height and lower anterior facial height parameters in the normal-weight group (P < 0.05), a statistically significant change was observed in the gonial and nasolabial angles in the overweight-obese group. Conclusions Mini-screw-assisted RME treatment significantly increased maxillary intermolar and intercanine width, and the palatal area in both groups; however, there was no significant difference between the BMI groups.