Rapid maxillary expansion appliance an orthodontic solution for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS): a brief outlook

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a common complain of patient visiting dental clinics. It is an upper air way respiratory obstruction and frequent bouts of temporarily cessation of air flow during sleep. There are too many articles published with definitions of (OSAS), classifications, sign and symptoms, investigations, diagnosis and their treatment etc. Due to costly CPAP etc instruments and failure of oral surgical procedures, patients has increased interest in oral appliances but least experimented rapid palatal expansion appliances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Due to this rapid maxillary expansion appliance (RME) is an orthodonticorthopedic appliance of choice for facilitation of maxillary expansion by mainly the splitting mid palatine suture. The positive effects of expansion are observed mainly on upper air way system. This positive improvement in air way is observed due to pyramidal shaped rupture of maxilla involving all meati, mainly the inferior meatus which condition the maximum air. This appliance could be the valuable appliance in the treatment of OSAS.