Effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Nasal Cavity Geometry evaluated by Acoustic Rhinometry

Ernani Menezes MARCHIORO, Joel da Rosa MARTINS, Renato ROITHMANN, Susana RIZZATTO, Luciane HAHN

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the nasal minimum cross-sectional area. The sample in study was composed by 27 caucasian children in the phase of mixed dentition, being 11 males and 16 females, with an age range of 6,75 to 11,67 years old. All of them had posterior crossbite. Participants were tested before (T1), immediate after (T2) and ninety days after the expansion (T3) and the minimum area as calculated by acoustic rhinometry analysed estatiscally. A significant increase on the nasal minimum crosssectional area was noticed. The MCA increased in 24 participants (88.89%) from T1 to T2. From T1 to T3 it incresed in 21 participants (77,78%). The MCA increase from T1 to T2 was 17,5 % and from T1 to T3 16,25 %. No significant change in MCA was noted from T2 to T3. It is concluded that the rapid maxillary expansion produces an increase on the nasal minimum crosssectional area, being the effects substancial and stable during the time studied.

Keywords: Rapid maxillary expansion. Nasal geometry. Nasal Patency. Acoustic rhinometry.

Thursday, May 02, 2024 04:25