Design of an automated Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) appliance. A Preliminary Study

Expansion of the maxilla is used to correct skeletal and dental transverse discrepancies between the maxilla and mandible. These discrepancies are corrected through a combination of skeletal expansion (separation of the maxillary midpalatal suture) and dental expansion (lateral tipping of the maxillary posterior teeth). The rapid maxillary expansion appliance is a tooth-borne appliance that consists of a midpalatal jackscrew. Appliances currently on the market for expanding the maxillary dentition vary from simple tooth tipping devices to rigid orthopedics expanders. These devices vary widely from active implants with springs and/or screw, to passive acrylic molds and simple medical tape. The problem with current devices is they need to be manipulating manually multiple times to readjust the screw, which requires a considerable time commitment from the family and the physicians. Therefore the goal of project is to design the new automated Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) appliances, which encompasses the benefits of current devices and is easily adjustable.