Transverse effects on the nasomaxillary complex one year after rapid maxillary expansion as the only intervention: A controlled study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans the transverse effects on the nasomaxillary complex in patients submitted to rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using Haas expander in comparison to untreated individuals. This prospective controlled clinical study assessed 30 subjects (18 boys and 12 girls) with mixed dentition and during pubertal growth. The treated group was submitted to RME with Haas expander, retention for six months and a six-month follow-up after removal. The control group matched the treated group in terms of age and sex distribution. CBCT scans were taken at treatment onset and one year after the expander was activated. Maxillary first molars (U6) width, right and left U6 angulation, maxillary alveolar width, maxillary basal width, palatal alveolar width, palatal base width, right and left alveolar angulation, palatal area, nasal base width, nasal cavity width and inferior nasal cavity area on the posterior, middle and anterior coronal slices were measured with Dolphin Imaging Software(r) 11.5, except for the first two variables which were performed only on the posterior slice. All transverse dimensions increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the treated group in comparison to the control, except for alveolar angulation and inferior nasal cavity area (P > 0.05). Results suggest that increase of molar, maxillary, palatal and nasal transverse dimensions was stable in comparison to the control group one year after treatment with RME.

Assessment of respiratory muscle strength and airflow before and after microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion

“…The current results were more similar to the results found by Yilmaz et al 30 Airway volume increased significantly in the current study after expansion (26%). The increase was greater than found by conventional rapid maxillary expansion in younger patients, 31 surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion in adult patients, 32 and the change of nasopharynx volume found by Kim et al 33 using a different design for MARPE.…”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Syndrome from Childhood to Old-Age

“…Pursuing these treatment options requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving otolaryngologists, general surgeons, orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, dentists, and nutritionists. Maxillary expansion has been associated with cephalometric increases in nasal base and nasal cavity, thereby decreasing total airway resistance [60]. A study involving 31 children between the ages of 5 and 8 who underwent rapid maxillary expansion resulted in AHI improvement that continued through adulthood [61] (Fig.…”

Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Upper Airway Morphology: A Systematic Review on the Role of Cone Beam Computed Tomography

“…The mean initial age of the experimental groups combined was 11.3 ± 2.1 years (range 7.5–12.9). The expander types used included the Haas expander [ 19 , 20 ], the Hyrax expander [ 21 – 24 ], and the McNamara type expander [ 6 ]. Iwasaki et al [ 25 ] did not specify the type of maxillary expander used, and Pangrazio-Kulbersh et al [ 26 ] included both Hyrax and McNamara type expanders in their study.…”

“…Iwasaki et al [ 25 ] did not specify the type of maxillary expander used, and Pangrazio-Kulbersh et al [ 26 ] included both Hyrax and McNamara type expanders in their study. The CBCT devices used to acquire images were the I-CAT [ 6 , 19 , 20 , 26 ], CB-Mercuray [ 25 ], Vatech [ 23 ], InVivo [ 24 ] Scanora [ 22 ], and Newtom [ 21 ]. The software packages used for three-dimensional reconstruction were Dolphin [ 6 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 ], Intage [ 25 ], V-WORK [ 21 ], and EZ-3D [ 23 ].…”