Effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion on nasal structures and breathing: A systematic review

Alyessary AS 1 , Othman SA 2 , Yap AUJ 3 , Radzi Z 2 , Rahman MT 2

Affiliations 

  • 1 University of Malaya, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Karbala University, College of dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Karbala, Iraq. Electronic address: akramshaker24@yahoo.com
  • 2 University of Malaya, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 National University Health System, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Department of Dentistry, Singapore, Singapore; University of Malaya, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Int Orthod, 2019 03;17(1):12-19.
PMID: 30732977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ortho.2019.01.001

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to determine the effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on breathing and upper airway structures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search of the scientific literature from January 2005 to June 2016 was done using Web of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and PubMed databases. A combination of search terms "rapid maxillary expansion", "nasal", "airway" and "breathing" were used. Studies that involved surgical or combined RME-surgical treatments and patients with craniofacial anomalies were excluded.

RESULTS: The initial screening yielded a total of 183 articles. After evaluation of the titles, abstracts and accessing the full text, a total of 20 articles fulfilled both inclusion/exclusion criteria and possessed adequate evidence to be incorporated into this review.

CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical RME was found to improve breathing, increase nasal cavity geometry and decrease nasal airway resistance in children and adolescents.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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