Evaluation of the mechanical environment of the median palatine suture during rapid maxillary expansion

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a common procedure in dental practice since the mid 1960s (Lagravere et al. 2006). This approach provides an increase in bone mass of the upper dental arch (Byrum Jr. 1971, Gardner and Kronman 1971, Haas 1973, Haas 1970, Wertz 1970) and increases the dental arch perimeter by applying lateral forces on superior posterior tooth (Townend 1980). The main recommendation to apply RME is an atresic upper dental arch (with triangular shape) associated to an incorrect buccolingual position of the posterior teeth

(Fig. 1), which generally results in a posterior cross-bite malocclusion (Capelozza-Filho & Silva-Filho 1997).