The Effects of Various Rapid Palatal Expansion Appliances on Dentoskeletal, Dentoalveolar, Nasal and Airway Resistance

The Effects of Various Rapid Palatal Expansion Appliances on Dentoskeletal, Dentoalveolar, Nasal and Airway Resistance: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effects of dentoalveolar, dentoskeletal, nasal resistance, and airway changes by applying rapid palatal expansion appliances in patients with maxillary constriction and the post-pubertal growth spurt stage.

Fifty eight patients were divided into 4 groups. The first group (n: 15, 15.6 ± 1,1 years of age) was Full Coverage Rapid Palatal Expansion (FCRPE). The second group ( n:14, 15.3 ± 0,9 years of age) was Modified McNamara Rapid Palatal Expansion (MMRPE). The third group (n:14, 15.7 ± 1,1 years of age) was Miniimplant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE). The fourth group (n:15, 15.4 ± 1,0 years of age) was control group. Polygraphy for respiratory evaluation, rhinomanometry for nasal airway resistance, study model, and posteroanterior radiographs (PA) to measure dentoalveolar and dentoskeletal effects were used. Respiratory polygraphy, rhinomanometry, study model, and posteroanterior radiographs were obtained prior to treatment and after 3 months of expansion. Paired t tests and independent-sample t tests were used to compare the expansion appliances.

Inclusion Criteria:

• With a unilateral or bilateral morphological lateral crossbite
• Whose first molars and premolars had completely erupted at pretreatment
• With maxillary constriction of more than 4 mm and less than 10 mm
• Who were going through the post-pubertal growth spurt stage based on hand-wrist radiographs
• Individuals with a body mass index of 18-24
• Individuals with an ANB angle between 0º and 4º

Exclusion Criteria:

• craniofacial anomalies
• compliance problems
• systemic or genetic disease
• previous orthodontic treatment history