Three Dimensional Skeletal, Dentoalveolar and Airway Space Changes after Slow Maxillary Expansion in Children

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects slow maxillary expansion (SME) on dentoalveolar, skeletal, upper airway, and sinus using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Twenty-three orthodontic patients (mean age 8.93 ± 1.61 years) who were treated with banded hyrax in Department Pediatric Dentistry at Jeonbuk National University Dental Hospital included. According speed applied, they divided into two groups: SME (12 subjects, mean 8.92 1.45 rapid (RME, 11 8.94 1.84 years). CBCT obtained before (T0) after (T1) treatment analyzed InVivo5 software (Anatomage, San Jose, CA, USA). Descriptive statistics showed no significant differences between groups age, sex, or skeletal maturity. There increases width dentoalveolar levels for both groups. Upper airway volume revealed a increase 38.59% group 28.72% RME group. However, there difference all measurements. This suggested efficacy growing patients. effective increasing not only measurements but also volume. Therefore, pediatric dentists should select an appropriate method considering physiological aspects periodontal tissues discomfort children.