Maxillary expansion: a surgical technique based on surgical-orthodontic treatment objectives and anatomical considerations.

Maxillary transverse expansion is usually done as an ancillary, not primary surgical movement in the surgical-orthodontic correction of dentofacial deformities. A maxillary osteotomy technique is described which permits combinations of movements, including expansion. Releasing the palatal soft tissue to disperse the resulting soft tissue tension, bone grafting and adequate stabilization and retention of the segments are stressed to achieve success. Also described is the use of local bone grafts and the rotation of soft tissues to cover surgical defects. Results are encouraging and the complication rate has been low in this series of 104 patients.