OBJECTIVE This study aimed at evaluating buccal and lingual bone plate changes caused by rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in the mixed dentition by means of computed tomography (CT). METHODS The sample comprised spiral CT exams taken from 22 mixed dentition patients from 6 to 9 years of age (mean age of 8.1 years) presenting constricted maxillary arch treated with Haas-type expanders. Patients...

Nasal breathing is a requirement for proper growth and development of the craniofacial complex. Inadequacy of the nasal airway from obstruction such as from nasal septal deviation (NSD) can affect craniofacial development. Further investigation of the possibility of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) correcting NSD would be valuable, considering the undesirable sequelae of NSD on nasal breathing, ...

INTRODUCTION Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a common technique to improve the dental and skeletal transverse width in cases of constricted maxillary arches. Although retention after RME has been widely examined, there is still no clear statement about the minimal retention time in postpubertal patients and many practitioners have retention concepts varying between three and six months. ME...

The aim of this study was to assess by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans the transverse effects on the nasomaxillary complex in patients submitted to rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using Haas expander in comparison to untreated individuals. This prospective controlled clinical study assessed 30 subjects (18 boys and 12 girls) with mixed dentition and during pubertal growth. T...

The aim of this article is to elucidate the state of the art about how rapid maxillary expansion (RME) produces changes in the oropharyngeal airways in terms of CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) data during the growth period, according to the available literature. Electronic search was done from January 2009 to April 2014 on PubMed and Scopus databases; in addition manual search was conducte...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this article is to elucidate the state of the art about how rapid maxillary expansion (RME) produces changes in natural head position (NHP) in terms of cephalometric angles or inclinometer data during the growth period, according to the available literature. METHODS Electronic search was done from January 2002 to June 2012 on PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus databases; in addi...

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an effective orthopedic procedure that can be used to address problems concerned with the growth of the midface. This procedure also may produce positive side effects on the general health of the patient. The aim of the present consensus paper was to identify and evaluate studies on the changes in airway dimensions and muscular function produced by RME in grow...

OBJECTIVE To identify and qualify the scientific evidence on the immediate and long-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the midpalatal suture in growing teenage or young adults, the related articles were selected. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literatures were searched in the electronic databases, including Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A methodologic-quality scoring...

OBJECTIVE To determine by low-dose computed tomography (CT) protocol the dental and periodontal effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME). MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample comprised 17 subjects (7 males and 10 females), with a mean age at first observation of 11.2 years. Each patient underwent expansion of 7 mm. Multislice CT scans were taken before rapid palatal expansion (T0), at the end o...

It is well documented in the literature that a contracted maxilla is commonly associated with nasal obstruction. Midpalatal splitting using the rapid maxillary expansion (RME) technique produces separation of the maxillary halves with consequent widening of the nasal cavity. Although clinicians agree about many of the indications for and outcomes of RME, some disagreements persist in relation t...