Abstract
This article presents rapid palatal expansion (RPE) as a skeletal method for correcting transverse discrepancies of the maxilla by opening the midpalatal suture. The historical aspects of the technique, starting from the works of Angell and Haas, as well as morphological changes of the suture depending on age, including the stages of its ossification, are described. It is emphasized that chronological age is not a determining factor for treatment success; a more reliable criterion is the degree of midpalatal suture maturation, assessed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) according to the F. Angelieri classification. The mechanism of RPE action, including the processes of osteogenesis and bone remodeling in response to distraction, as well as indications, contraindications, and factors influencing treatment outcomes, are discussed in detail. Special attention is paid to the effectiveness of the method in patients of different ages, including the possibility of skeletal expansion in adults using miniscrews. Conclusion. Determining the stage of midpalatal suture maturation using CBCT is a key factor in predicting the skeletal response to rapid palatal expansion, whereas in patients with a mature suture (stages D and E), surgical correction methods are preferable.