Rapid maxillary expansion is an orthopedic treatment used to correct transverse maxillary deficiency in growing patients. Mechanical forces generated during expansion may induce local biological responses, including changes in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms.
This prospective, non-randomized, controlled pilot study evaluated changes in oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid during rapid maxillary expansion and the early retention period. Twenty-eight participants aged 10 to 13 years were included: 14 patients undergoing rapid maxillary expansion and 14 age- and sex-matched untreated controls.
Gingival crevicular fluid samples and periodontal measurements were collected at six corresponding time points. Malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and vitamin C were measured. The study aimed to characterize local biochemical changes associated with the treatment period and to compare their longitudinal patterns with those observed in untreated controls.