Skeletal and dental changes after bone-borne versus tooth-borne surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion in subjects with maxillary transverse deficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of the study was to determine the difference in skeletal and dental effects of bone-borne (BB) versus tooth-borne (TB) surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) in subjects with maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD). The present review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and cohort studies. A systematic search was conducted in online databases (i.e., PubMed®, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)) for articles published up to January 2023. The outcome was estimated using the weighted average difference and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using Cochran’s heterogeneity test (I² test). The meta-analysis was conducted using the RevMan software, v. 5.3.5.22. The qualitative and quantitative synthesis incorporated 7 articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria. The skeletal and dental expansion was assessed pre-and post-expansion in 249 patients who underwent SARPE with BB and TB appliances. Five studies were included in the meta-analysis to measure skeletal expansion in the first premolar and first molar regions. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the study groups (mean difference: −0.16; 95% CI: −0.34, 0.67). To measure dental expansion, 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and no significant differences were observed between them (mean difference: −0.29; 95% CI: −0.77, 0.19). This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no differences in skeletal and dental expansion in patients who underwent SARPE with BB and TB appliances.