[Cone-beam CT evaluation of nasomaxillary complex and upper airway following rapid maxillary expansion].

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the naso-maxillary complex width and pharyngeal airway volume changes after rapid maxillary expansion (RME).

METHODS

Thirty-five patients were selected (18 males, 17 females, mean age, 12.1 ± 1.1 years). All patients underwent orthodontic treatment with Hyrax palatal expanders. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan was taken before treatment (T0), 16 days (T1) and three months (T3) after RME. Naso-maxillary complex width and pharyngeal airway volume were measured.

RESULTS

After treatment the width of piriform aperture and maxillary width were significantly increased compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). Three months after RME, no statistical difference was found in maxillary width compared with that before treatment. The nasopharyngeal volume significantly increased by 29.9% compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05), and the volume remained relatively stable after three months.

CONCLUSIONS

RME resulted in a significant increase in the naso-maxillary complex width and nasopharyngeal volume.