OBJECTIVE: This paper proposes to present a laboratorial model for acquisition of tomographic images for three-dimensional evaluation of the rapid maxillary expansion procedure. METHODS: The procedure of rapid maxillary expansion was developed using a dry skull and the images were acquired from a multi-slice tomography and a volumetric tomography. The examinations were taken prior to and after the ERM. RESULTS: The images acquired from the skull, multislice computed tomography (CT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) had produced similar results. CONCLUSION: The use of tomographic slices, acquired by means of high resolution computerized tomography, as well as the cone beam technique, make possible the three-dimensional reconstruction of the palatomaxillary region in order to offer the real evaluation of the sutural opening.
Image diagnostics; Tomography; Rapid maxillary expansion; Dry skull
