title: RME: influences on the nasal septum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work consists in analyzing the consequences of RME on the nasal septum.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 140 patients presenting a skeletal maxillary transverse constriction. Two groups were constructed. The first group containing 100 patients presenting a septal deviation more than 1 mm was treated by a Hyrax expander, to correct the transverse dimension. The second group containing 40 patients was not treated because the patients were under pharmacological treatment for neurovascular headache. The protocol of activation in group 1 consisted by activation of the transverse screw one-quarter turn twice a day for 15 days. Then the appliance was left in place for passive retention. The skeletal variations induced by RME have been made through cephalometric evaluations obtained before therapy (T0), at the removal of the appliance (T1) and after 6 months of manteinance (T2). A lapse of time of six months passed between T0 and T1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrates how RME can increase the length of the septum, improving its possible deviations and growth disturbance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palatal expansion technique is a valid therapeutic option, which allows to increase nasal cavity volume and it can also have a favorable effects on the growth of the maxillary complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. giampietro.farronato@unimi.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farronato
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galbiati
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maspero
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D011859:Radiography