Transverse maxillary deficiency in growing patients requires accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment to ensure balanced craniofacial development. Several devices allow for skeletal expansion, each with specific clinical indications depending on skeletal maturation stage and patient compliance.
Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness and biomechanical characteristics of three skeletal expansion approaches: MARPE, Invisalign Palatal Expander, and Hyrax.
Materials and Methods: This article presents three clinical cases of patients aged 11–12 years with transverse maxillary deficiency, treated with MARPE (Ortoplus), Invisalign Palatal Expander (Align Technology Inc.), and Hyrax (Dentaurum), respectively. Variables such as root control, clinical expansión expression by the device, and patient cooperation were assessed.
Results: Clinical expression exceeded 80% in all cases. MARPE and Invisalign showed better root torque control. Invisalign Palatal Expander was the most comfortable and least dependent on clinical activation.
Conclusions: Each approach offers specific benefits. MARPE is more effective post-pubertal peak, while Invisalign Palatal Expander is ideal in early stages with good cooperation. Hyrax remains a valid and accessible option in active growth phases.
Key words: Skeletal expansion; MARPE; Invisalign Expander; Hyrax; Interceptive orthodontics.
Materials and Methods: This article presents three clinical cases of patients aged 11–12 years with transverse maxillary deficiency, treated with MARPE (Ortoplus), Invisalign Palatal Expander (Align Technology Inc.), and Hyrax (Dentaurum), respectively. Variables such as root control, clinical expansión expression by the device, and patient cooperation were assessed.
Results: Clinical expression exceeded 80% in all cases. MARPE and Invisalign showed better root torque control. Invisalign Palatal Expander was the most comfortable and least dependent on clinical activation.
Conclusions: Each approach offers specific benefits. MARPE is more effective post-pubertal peak, while Invisalign Palatal Expander is ideal in early stages with good cooperation. Hyrax remains a valid and accessible option in active growth phases.
Key words: Skeletal expansion; MARPE; Invisalign Expander; Hyrax; Interceptive orthodontics.