Palatal Expansion and its Effects in Orthodontics

Palatal expansion has a unique role in dentofacial therapy. The rapid Maxillary expansion which is a type of skeletal expansion involves the opening of the mid-palatal suture and movement of the palatal shelves away from each other. Selection of appropriate appliance should be made by preparing a list of criteria depending on the biomechanical requirements of RME. Rapid expansion affects the maxillary complex, palatal vaults, maxillary teeth, adjacent periodontal structures to get desired expansion in the maxillary arch. Maxillary transverse deficiency in adults is a malocclusion of relatively high prevalence in orthodontics. The rapid maxillary expansion (RME) surgically assisted is considered the preferred procedure to correction of this alteration in patients skeletally mature. This review discusses the types of palatal expansion and skeletal and soft tissue effects of palatal expansion.