Table 4 Summary of findings table according to the GRADE approach for the comparison of bone-borne versus tooth-borne rapid maxillary expansion

Suture opening at 1st premolar

Post-retention

40 patients (1 trial)

1.3 mm

–

2.3 mm more

(1.7 to 2.9 more)

⊕⊕⊕⃝○ moderate^d

due to imprecision

Probably greater sutural opening with bone-borne RME

Suture opening at 1st molar

Post-retention

40 patients (1 trial)

1.1 mm

–

2.0 mm more

(1.4 to 2.6 more)

⊕⊕⊕○⃝ moderate^d

due to imprecision

Probably greater sutural opening with bone-borne RME

Buccal tipping of 1st premolar

Post-retention

73 patients (2 trials)

3.9°

–

2.4° less

(9.5 less to 4.8 more)

⊕⃝⃝⃝○○○ very low^{d, e, f}

due to bias, inconsistency, imprecision

Little to no difference in premolar buccal tipping

Buccal tipping of 1st molar

Post-retention

73 patients (2 trials)

5.7°

–

1.9° less

(9.5 less to 5.7 more)

⊕⃝⃝⃝○○○ very low^{d, e, f}

due to bias, inconsistency, imprecision

Little to no difference in molar buccal tipping

Nasal cavity width at 1st premolar/orbita^$

Post-retention

81 patients (2 trials)

1.8 mm^$

–

0.7 mm more(0.1 less to 1.4 more)

⊕⊕⃝⃝○○ low^{d, e}

due to bias, imprecision

Little to no difference in nasal cavity width

Root resorption volume at 1st molar

Post-retention

41 patients (1 trial)

49.3 mm³

–

17.8 mm³ less

(46.0 to 10.4 more)

⊕⊕⃝⃝○○ low^{d, e}

due to bias, imprecision

Little to no difference in root resorption volume