Effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Nocturnal Enuresis: A Literature Review

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a dentofacial orthopedic treatment procedure which has been routinely used to correct transversal maxillary skeletal and/or dental constriction. Application of RME not only expands the constricted maxilla but also results in an increase in nasopharyngeal airway dimensions, improvement in nasal respiration in patients with abnormal breathing patterns, and better blood oxygen saturation. It is known that adenotonsillectomy significantly reduces nocturnal enuresis in patients having upper airway obstruction and/or breathing problems. Some authors have shown that RME was also effective on reducing or ceasing nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting) in patients with maxillary constriction. The results of these uncontrolled clinical trials showed that the success rate of the treatment varied from 47 percent to 100 percent The purpose of this article is to review the etiology and pathophysiology of nocturnal enuresis and the studies investigating the effects of RME on nocturnal enuresis in growing children.