The impact of different rapid palatal expansion appliances on sleep, nasal airway resistance, and dentoskeletal/dentoalveolar characteristics: a prospective, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

The effects of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on sleep-related breathing and nasal airway resistance have been extensively investigated in prepubertal individuals; however, interpretation of these findings is confounded by growth-related changes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the effects of different RPE appliance designs (tooth-tissue supported and tooth-bone supported) on sleep-related breathing, nasal airway resistance, and dentoskeletal/dentoalveolar outcomes in postpubertal adolescents with maxillary constriction, incorporating an age-matched control group to account for nontreatment related changes.

TRIAL

DESIGN

Prospective randomized controlled trial conducted over a 1-year study period, including recruitment, intervention, and short-term follow-up.