title: Three-dimensional evaluation of upper airway following rapid maxillary expansion: a CBCT study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate, by using cone beam computed tomography, the skeletal, dental, oropharyngeal (OP) airway volume, and nasal passage (NP) volume changes that occur after rapid maxillary expansion (RME).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups were selected, each with 35 patients (15 males, 20 females), an RME group (mean age, 14.02 ± 1.46 years) and a control group (mean age, 14.10 ± 1.44 years). The RME group consisted of patients with maxillary constriction who were treated with Hyrax palatal expanders, and the control group comprised age- and sex-matched patients who underwent comprehensive orthodontic treatment without the use of a rapid maxillary expander.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the transverse skeletal (medial orbital width, lateral nasal width, maxillary width, and mandibular width) and interdental (intermolar, interpremolar, and intercanine) parameters were significantly enlarged in the RME group. A statistically significant increase in airway variables was seen in both groups between pretreatment (T0) and final records (T1). The mean increase of NP airway volume for the RME group (1719.9 ± 1510.7 mm(3)) was twofold compared with the control group (813.6 ± 1006.7 mm(3)), and no intergroup significant difference was found for the OP volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid maxillary expansion creates a significant increase in nasal passage airway volume but no significant change in the oropharyngeal airway volume.
authors.affiliation: a  Associate Professor, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El
authors.forename: Juan Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Palomo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009666:Nose / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009929:Organ Size; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging