Is SARPE surgery safe?

Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) has been considered a safe procedure with minimal patient morbidity.

What is a SARPE procedure?

SARPE is an orthodontic technique that is used to expand the maxillary arch. This technique includes treatments from both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics. This procedure is usually completed in adult patients with maxillary sutures that are fused and cannot be expanded using other techniques.

Is SARPE surgery necessary?

Ideally, the palate expansion should be carried out at an early age, before the palatine suture has completely fused, a process that is completed during puberty. In these cases a surgical intervention is not necessary, but only an orthodontic treatment called RPE (Rapid Palatal Expansion).

How long does swelling last after Sarpe surgery?

Post-surgical swelling is expected. It typically peaks between 48 and 72 hours and then gradually subsides. Most swelling dissipates between 7 and 10 days, but slight residual swelling may be visible for several months. Bruising, nasal congestion and a sore throat may also occur after surgery and will steadily improve.

Can adults use a palate expander?

Palatal expanders can also be used in adults as an alternative to upper jaw surgery to widen a narrow jaw.

What should I eat after Sarpe?

Follow a high protein, High calorie blenderized liquid diet, for the first two weeks. Avoid seedy or salty foods until the sutures fall out. Calorie and protein supplements can be used and are encouraged.

What is a LeFort 3 fracture?

Le Fort III fracture (transverse), otherwise known as craniofacial dissociation, may follow impact to the nasal bridge or upper maxilla. The salient feature of these fractures, beyond pterygoid plate involvement, is that they invariably involve the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone.

What is the difference between SARPE and Le Fort?

SARPE is performed to address the transverse dimension changes in a patient. Sometimes this surgery is followed by Le Fort 1 in a second surgery to address the vertical and the anterior-posterior changes. Between the two surgeries, a patient’s constricted maxillary arch is expanded with the rapid maxillary expander device placed in the maxilla.

What does SARPE stand for in medical terms?

SARPE means Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion. It is also known as SARME, for Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion. It is a technique in the field of orthodontics which is used to expand the maxillary arch.

How is SARPE used in the orthodontic field?

SARPE or Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion is a technique in the field of orthodontics which is used to expand the maxillary arch. This technique is a combination of both surgical and orthodontic processes.

How much skeletal expansion can be achieved with SARPE?

The authors observed skeletal changes of about 3-4mm and these changes were stable. In an earlier study published in 2008, the same authors stated that about one-third of the transverse dental expansion obtained with SARPE is lost, however the skeletal expansion remains the same.