RESUMO
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dento-skeletal effects of mixed palatal expansion (MPE) on growing patients with a uni- or bilateral posterior crossbite and mild-to-moderate crowding as compared to untreated growing individuals using postero- anterior (PA) cephalometric analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 24 patients (18 girls and 6 boys) treated with a Hyrax- type device was compared to an untreated matched control group at T0 (8.6 yrs ± 2.01) and T1 (10 yrs ± 2.00) using PA cephalograms. The cephalometric analysis included eight bilateral skeletal and dental landmarks. The groups were compared using independent sample t-test to estimate dento-skeletal effects on PA cephalograms. RESULTS: The treated group showed significant changes for the maxillary width (P<0.001) and upper molar width (P<0.001) when compared to those of the control group. CONCLUSION: MPE may effectively increase transverse dimensions and correct posterior crossbites.