AbstractIntroduction: The aim was to evaluate pain intensity and jaw function impairments, after
using MARPE (Miniscrew Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander) in young adult patients.
Methods: Sixteen subjects (5 males, 11 females) aged from (17-25± 2) years old with maxillary
transverse skeletal deficiency. They received the MARPE with an activation protocol (2/3 turn
per day) (0.4-0.6mm).
Self-reported Questions were used for evaluating Pain, pressure, Analgesic Consumption,
and daily activities during the day before placement, the day after placement of MARPE
and before activation, and the Fifth day of activation, the Seventh-day of activation and the
Eleventh day of activation. Descriptive statistics, Mcnemar, Wilcoxon, and Pearson correlation
were used.
Results: The results showed that the majority of the patients answered at T0 as “No pain”,
at T1, T2, T3 answered as" Moderate pain", at T4 answered as" Mild pain". There was pressure
and pain in the upper first molars, pain in the anterior teeth and pressure on the maxilla.
Speech ability and chewing hard food were affected, but the daily activities weren’t.
Conclusion: Pain intensity after the use of MARPE was mild to moderate on (5, 7, 11)th day
of activation which corresponded with mid palatal suture opening. Pain and pressure on the
upper first molars peaked on the 5th day and decreased gradually. Pain from upper incisors
was higher on the (5, 7)th day and decreased on the 11th day. Pressure on the maxilla was
higher on the 7th day. The need for analgesic consumption was low. The MARPE Affected both
speech and chewing hard food without any effect on the ability to work or study.