PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Venue:
Max's Es-Ca
1559 Richmond Road
Staten Island, NY 10304
(718) 980-5006


Essayist: Sophia Milito, D.D.S.
Dawson Academy Scholar

Transverse maxillary deficiency has traditionally been managed using tooth-borne palatal expansion in children and surgically assisted expansion in skeletally mature patients. Advances in imaging, biomechanics and skeletal anchorage have expanded the range of orthopedic treatment options available beyond early childhood, prompting a re-evaluation of how and when maxillary expansion is performed. This lecture will review the biologic principles of maxillary growth and sutural maturation, emphasizing why chronological age alone is an unreliable predictor of expansion outcomes. Attendees will be introduced to mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) and its role as an intermediate orthopedic option between traditional tooth-borne expansion and surgical approaches such as surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) and distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion (DOME). 

In addition to orthodontic and skeletal considerations, the lecture will explore the relationship between maxillary width and airway anatomy. The potential impact of skeletal expansion on nasal airflow and breathing will be discussed within an evidence-based framework, highlighting both opportunities and limitations. CBCT-based evaluation, case selection and interdisciplinary collaboration will be emphasized throughout. Clinical case examples will be used to illustrate decision-making strategies, treatment outcomes and realistic expectations. The goal of this presentation is to provide general dentists with a clear, practical framework for recognizing transverse deficiency, understanding when expansion may support airway function and knowing when referral or surgical collaboration is appropriate. Upon successful completion of this lecture, attendees will learn how to: 

• Recognize transverse maxillary deficiency and understand its impact on occlusion, facial balance and airway function.
• Differentiate between tooth-borne expansion, MARPE and surgically assisted expansion based on growth, skeletal maturity and risk.
• Understand the role of CBCT in evaluating midpalatal suture maturation and guiding expansion decisions.

MCEU - 1 HOUR
Member Rate: $45

SOPHIA MILITO D.D.S. is a general dentist with over 18 years of clinical experience and advanced training in occlusion, temporomandibular joint disorders and comprehensive treatment planning. She is a Dawson Academy Scholar and practices with a focused clinical interest in airway-centered and orthopedic approaches to dentistry. Her work emphasizes the diagnosis and management of transverse maxillary deficiency, functional jaw health and the role of skeletal expansion in supporting airway function and occlusal stability. She routinely collaborates with orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other healthcare providers to support interdisciplinary, evidence-based care. Dr. Mililito’s lectures focus on clinical decision-making, appropriate case selection and understanding where emerging treatment modalities fit within traditional orthodontic and surgical frameworks.