Subject. The patterns of changes in the transverse dimensions of the maxilla under the influence of orthodontic appliances of various designs, as well as the effectiveness of digital technologies and modern materials in the planning and implementation of early orthodontic intervention. Objectives. To conduct a retrospective analysis of studies on orthodontic appliances for maxillary expansion and to compare the indications, diagnostic approaches, and clinical effects of different appliance designs. Methodology. A retrospective analytical review of domestic and foreign publications over the past 10 years on maxillary expansion methods was performed. Removable and fixed appliances with various types of anchorage (dental, skeletal, combined) as well as diagnostic approaches (clinical, radiographic methods, digital modeling) were analyzed. From an initial pool of 89 scientific papers, after critical analysis of titles, abstracts, and full texts according to exclusion criteria, 35 publications were included in the final data synthesis, allowing for a summary of current evidence on appliance effectiveness and factors influencing treatment method selection. Results. The literature analysis revealed that the effectiveness of maxillary expansion in the mixed dentition depends on the severity of the anomaly. Removable appliances provide a moderate dentoalveolar effect, whereas fixed expanders, particularly those with skeletal anchorage, achieve significantly greater skeletal expansion with minimal risk of relapse. The application of adjunctive surgical techniques and digital technologies (3D planning, navigation guides) increases treatment accuracy and predictability, reduces treatment duration, and improves functional outcomes. Conclusion. The choice of expansion appliance should be determined by patient age and the severity of the skeletal component; comprehensive diagnostics enhance treatment predictability; digital design is promising as a tool for standardizing accuracy and reproducibility of appliances; unification of criteria for assessing long-term stability during the retention period is required.
Podoplelov et al. (Sun,) studied this question.