Abstract
BACKGROUND: Four different designs of mini-implant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) and protraction in nasomaxillary complex and mid-palatal sutures in late adolescent skeletal Class III malocclusion were compared using a three-dimensional finite element analysis. METHODS: A finite element model of skull and related sutures was constructed using the computed tomography scan of a 16-year-old female patient with skeletal Class III and ANB of -2°. Four appliance designs: Type I: MARPE with palatal force, Type II: MARPE with buccal force, Type III: Hybrid hyrax with palatal force, and Type IV: Hybrid hyrax with buccal force. Protraction vectors were and analyzed using Ansys software (ANSYS 2021 R2). The displacement pattern of the nasomaxillary structures and the stress distribution in the sutures were examined in all four appliance designs. RESULTS: All the appliance designs resulted in a forward movement of the maxilla, while Type I and III, which used palatal protraction force, caused the greatest forward displacement. In Type I, II, and III, along with forward movement, a clockwise rotation of maxilla was observed, while in Type IV, an anticlockwise rotation of maxilla was observed. Type I, II, and III resulted in higher stress distribution around the superior structures, while Type IV resulted in less stress distribution around the superior structures of maxilla. CONCLUSION: The forward displacement was enhanced when palatal plates were used to protract the maxilla. The effective appliance design for skeletal class III with open bite case was Type I, II, and III and Type IV for deep bite cases.