• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.4 s.63
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• pp.569-584
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• 1997

The present study assessed the effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on head posture and hyoid bone position. For this study, 32 Angle's class III patients - hellman 3c $\~$ adult stage, mean age 12y9m - were selected and divided into two groups, A,B according to craniocervical angulation. Craniocervical angulation Increased in Group A and decreased in Group B after the therapy. And 23 Angle's class I persons $\~$ same hellman stage, mean age 12y7m $\~$ were selected (or the control group. Cephalometric analysis of skeletal pattern, pharyngeal space, head posture, hyoid bone position was performed. The results were as follows, 1. Comparison of skeletal pattern and pharyngeal space 1) All two groups(A,B) had Mandibular plane inclined inferiorly and no pharyngeal space change was obseved after RME therapy 2) Skeletal pattern and pharyngeal space of Group A, B were normal before and after treatment. 2. Comparison of head posture 1) Craniocervical angulation of Group A was increased after treatment. That of Group B was decreased and mandibular plane was inclined inferiorly after treatment. 2) Before treatment, craniocervical inclination was normal in Group A but larger than normal in Group B. After treatment, all two groups(A, B) had normal craniocervical angulation. 3. Comparison of hyoid bone position 1) After treatment, long axis of hyoid in Group A, B was not changed. Antero- posteriorly, hyoid position was changed posteriorly in Group A but no change was founded in Group B after treatment. Vertically, hyoid bone position were not changed in two groups except increase in APHFH in Group A after treatment 2) Long axis of hyoid bone was normal in Group A, B before and after treatment. Anteroposteriorly, hyoid bone position was more anterior than Group B, C before treatment but all the position of two groups had normal position after treatment. Vertical position of hyoid bone was normal in all two groups before and after treatment.