Objective To evaluate pharyngeal airway and maxillary sinus volumes following symmetric rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and asymmetric rapid maxillary expansion (ARME) treatment using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods The study consisted of 60 patients presenting to the orthodontics clinic with an indication that they required symmetric or asymmetric rapid maxillary expansion treatment. Individuals were included if they were aged 12–15 years and had symmetric (RME group; 14 girls, 16 boys) or asymmetric (ARME group; 16 girls, 14 boys) maxillary deficiency. Maxillary sinus volume (mm3) and pharyngeal airway volume (upper, lower, and total; mm3) were evaluated using CBCT records. The parameters were compared before treatment (T1) and after 3 months in retention (T2). Results All measurements at T2 were increased significantly compared with T1 in the RME group (P < .05). In the ARME group, changes in the lower pharyngeal airway and the nonaffected maxillary sinus volumes (non-affected side of maxillary sinus volumes) were not significant; however, the other measurements increased significantly from T1 to T2 (P < .05). Intergroup comparisons revealed that total pharyngeal airway volume and total maxillary sinus volume changes were significantly greater in the RME group. Conclusions Pharyngeal airway and maxillary sinus volumes increased with both RME and ARME treatment. Both were found to be effective for treating transverse maxillary deficiency.

The aim of this study was to describe the shape and measure the size of the sella turcica in Turkish subjects with different skeletal types. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 150 patients (75 females and 75 meals) were taken and distributed according to skeletal classification; 50 Class I, 50 Class II, and 50 Class III. The sella turcica on each radiograph was analyzed and measured to determine the shape of the sella, in addition to the linear dimensions of length, depth, and diameter. In statistical comparison, Independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey HSD, and Fishers Exact tests were used at p<0.05 level. The statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in linear dimensions of the sella turcica between genders. Normal shape of the sella turcica was seen in the majority of the subjects (68,7%), regardless of gender, age or skeletal type. When skeletal type was compared with sella size, a significant difference was found in the diameter of sella between the Class I and Class II subjects. Larger diameter values were present in the skeletal Class I subjects, while smaller diameter sizes were apparent in Class II subjects. Sella shape and dimensions reported in the current study can be used as reference standards for further investigations involving the sella turcica area in Tukish subjects.