Skeletal effects of RME in the transverse and vertical dimensions of the nasal cavity in mouth-breathing growing children

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Maxillary constriction is a dentoskeletal deformity characterized by discrepancy in maxilla/mandible relationship in the transverse plane, which may be associated with respiratory dysfunction. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the skeletal effects of RME on maxillary and nasal transverse dimensions and compare the differences between males and females. Methods: Sixty-one mouth-breathers patients with skeletal maxillary constriction (35 males and 26 females, mean age 9.6 years) were included in the study. Posteroanterior (PA) radiographs were taken before expansion (T1) and 3 months after expansion (T2). Data obtained from the evaluation of T1 and T2 cephalograms were tested for normality with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov method. The Student’s t-test was performed for each measurement to determine sex differences. Results: RME produced a significant increase in all linear measurements of maxillary and nasal transverse dimensions. Conclusions: No significant differences were associated regarding sex. The RME produced significant width increases in the maxilla and nasal cavity, which are important for treatment stability, improving respiratory function and craniofacial development.

Keywords

• Palatal expansion technique
• Maxilla
• Mouth-breathing.