Successful treatment for an adult with bilateral posterior teeth crossbite by miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Successful treatment by miniscrew-assisted rapid expansion and clinical aligner therapy for an adult diagnosed with maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD) by clinical examinations and Yonsei transverse analysis.

Abstract: Adult orthodontic diagnosis and treatment with maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD) is challenging. Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) is a fast and low-risk method to expand the width of maxillary basal bone. This case report describes a 23-year-old female with mandible deviation and bilateral posterior teeth crossbite. She was diagnosed as MTD by the clinical examinations and Yonsei transverse analysis, and treated by the MARPE and clinical aligner therapy. After 26 months' treatment, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images showed that the width of maxillary basal bone increased by 3.8 mm, that of zygomatic arch and nasal bone increased by 1.0 and 1.9 mm, respectively, and the bilateral posterior teeth crossbite was corrected. Furthermore, the dental midline of lower arch was consistent with that of upper arch and face, the molars arrived Angle Class II and canines was Class I relationships, the profile was maintained, the facial asymmetry was improved. The results of seventeen-month follow-up showed that the effect of orthodontic treatment is very stable. This case report demonstrates that MARPE is the effective approach for patients with MTD and facial asymmetry, which provide the alternative for the treatment of similar cases.