The effects of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) on the dental show and chin projection

Abstract Objective To quantify the postoperative changes of the dental show and chin projection following SARME using 3D CBCT imaging. Material and methods 78 patients with transversal maxillary hypoplasia and mandibular hypoplasia who underwent SARME were enrolled into the study. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan was acquired preoperatively and at least 1 year postoperatively. 3D postoperative changes in the dental show and pogonion position were measured based on soft tissue and hard tissue landmarks. Results 68 patients (87%) exhibited a postoperative increase in the dental show. The dental show was increased by a mean of 2.2 ± 2.0 mm (p  Conclusion An increase in dental show and a posterior and inferior displacement of the chin should be considered prior to SARME to prevent undesirable postoperative changes of the facial esthetics.