Unilateral surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (case report)

The treatment of skeletally unilateral posterior crossbite is a more difficult anomally especially in mature patients. Rapid maxiler expansion which is easily practiced in young patients as the treatment of this problem, is practiced in mature patients by means of corticotomies in the maxilla because of the increase in articulations' rigidity caused by maxilla and face bones. Bilateral expansion provided by this way also causes expansion in the side where no narrowness exists, and this extends the time of treatment. In this case presentation, we have presented the orthodontic treatment of a 16 years old female patient following an unilateral korikomomi and rapid maxillary expansion. After expansion, a good occlusion and esthetical smile is acquired without causing excessive expansion in the side where no narrowness exists.