title: Effect of a rapid maxillary expansion on snoring and sleep in children: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the McNamara rapid palatal expansion device for the treatment of sleep disorders in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample enrolled 12 children aged 4-11 years. Children with snoring and bruxism whose parents did not agree to tonsil surgery were included in the study. During the initial evaluation, a questionnaire addressing sleep was administered, and plaster models were made for the construction of the McNamara rapid maxillary expansion device. The expansion period was 7-15 days, and the McNamara device was removed after 6-8 months. The same questionnaire was administered again after 30 days of use of the orthopedic appliance. The data were analyzed using the McNemar test, with the level of significance set to 5% (P<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were found in tiredness upon waking (P=0.002), mood (P=0.008), lip seal (P=0.031), drooling during sleep (P=0.031), snoring (P=0.001), and bruxism (P=0.0062).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of non-invasive methods, such as rapid maxillary expansion, can be an effective treatment for snoring and other undesirable sleep behaviors in children.
authors.forename: Lilian Chrystiane
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Giannasi
authors.forename: Israel Reis
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Thays Almeida
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Alfaya
authors.forename: Sandra Kalil
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bussadori
authors.forename: Fernando Studart
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Leitão-Filho
authors.forename: Luis Vicente Franco
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
mesh_terms: D002012:Bruxism / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Child,; Sleep breathing disorder; Sleep diary,; Sleep disorders,; Therapeutics,