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

Akram S Alyessary; Siti A Othman; Adrian U J Yap; Zamri Radzi; Mohammad T Rahman

doi:10.1016/j.ortho.2019.01.001

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

Int Orthod. 2019 Mar;17(1):12-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ortho.2019.01.001. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Authors

Akram S Alyessary¹, Siti A Othman², Adrian U J Yap³, Zamri Radzi², Mohammad T Rahman²

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.

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.

Keywords: Breathing; Expansion maxillaire; Maxillary expansion; Nasal airway obstruction; Obstruction des voies respiratoires nasales; Orthodontics; Orthodontie; Ventilation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Airway Resistance
Child
Databases, Factual
Humans
Nasal Cavity
Nasopharynx / anatomy & histology*
Nose / anatomy & histology*
Orthodontics
Palatal Expansion Technique* / adverse effects
Respiration*