Influence of changing various parameters in miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion: A three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of changing various parameters of the bone-borne rapid palatal expander (RPE) using the finite element method (FEM).

Methods: In eight experimental groups, we investigated the effect of the number, position, and length of miniscrews; positional changes of the expander; and changes in the hook length on maxillary expansion. In finite element analysis, we compared the magnitude and distribution of stress, and the displacement changes following expansion of the bone-borne RPE.