Orthodontic Treatment with Rapid Maxillary Expansion for Treating a Boy with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

This case report shows that orthodontic treatment with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an effective treatment option for managing pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An 11-year-old boy with severe pediatric OSA received comprehensive orthodontic treatment with RME. Four sleep studies were done: before orthodontic treatment, after RME, just after comprehensive orthodontic treatment and at the 2-year and 5-month follow-up. Polysomnographic findings showed that the orthodontic treatment with RME was successful for managing severe OSA in the patient.

Keywords

• Rapid maxillary expansion
• Orthodontic
• Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
• Adenoid
• Adenotonsllectomy