title: Analysis of rapid maxillary expansion effects on nasal soft tissues widths.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the variations in nasal dimensions in prepubertal patients associated with RME therapy compared with an untreated age matched control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 61 subjects (26 F, 35 M; mean age 10.5±1.8 years) was enrolled in the study to undergo a rapid maxillary expansion therapy; 41 subjects (26 F, 15 M; mean age 10.7±2.2 years) were enrolled as a control group. Both groups underwent nasal soft tissues width measurements using a caliper at three separate time points: T0 - prior to the placement of RME; T1 - after completion of active expansion phase; T2 - at the removal of the expander (nearly 6 months after T1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ANOVA showed statistically significant increments (P<0.0001) of the greater alar cartilage (GAC) measurement (0.8±0.2 mm) in the study group, differences for the AB measurements were not statistically significant (P=0.0784).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of rapid maxillary expansion can induce an increase in GAC soft tissues width of about 1 mm in prepubertal patients. This increase could not be considered of clinical impact. The alar base width increase less than GAC, this increase is without statistical significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy - claudiasantariello@gmail.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santariello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nota
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ballanti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cozza
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D013997:Time Factors