Edition V18N01 | Year 2013 | Editorial Orthodontics Highlights | Pages 6 to 7
LASER STRENGTHENS THE REPAIR OF THE MIDPALATAL SUTURE AFTER RME
Widely spread, studied and used, rapid maxillary expansion (RME) became an important ally of orthodontists. Basically, this procedure takes place with an active phase, where the expander is activated, and a passive phase, when the appliance is kept in place until complete restructuring of the expanded suture and formation of bone tissue. Reducing the stabilization period of these appliances would help the reduction in total orthodontic treatment time and the discomfort caused by the presence of the appliance. While searching for a method that would strengthen this process, Brazilian researchers1 evaluated, through a study in animals, histological effects of applying the laser in the palatine sutures after maxillary expansion. The results showed that the laser appears to stimulate the repair process of suturing and also osteogenesis. It is noteworthy that, although encouraging, results are primary and obtained in dogs, requiring confirmation in humans.