Evaluating the effect of midpalatal corticotomy-assisted rapid maxillary expansion on the upper airway in young adults using computational fluid dynamics

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the stability of nonsurgical miniscrew-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARME) in young adults with a transverse maxillary deficiency. Materials and Methods: From a total of 69 adult patients who underwent MARME followed by orthodontic treatment with a straight-wire appliance, 20 patients (mean age, 20.9 ± 2.9 years) with follow-up records (mean, 30.2 ± 13.2 months) after debonding were selected. Posteroanterior cephalometric records and dental casts were obtained at the initial examination (T0), immediately after MARME removal (T1), immediately after debonding (T2), and at posttreatment follow-up (T3). Results: Suture separation was observed in 86.96% of subjects (60/69). An increase in the maxillary width (J-J; 1.92 mm) accounted for 43.34% of the total expansion with regard to the intermolar width (IMW) increase (4.43 mm; P < .001) at T2. The amounts of J-J and IMW posttreatment changes were −0.07 mm (P > .05) and −0.42 mm (P = .01), respectively, during retention. The postexpansion change in middle alveolus width increased with age (P < .05). The postexpansion change of interpremolar width (IPMW) was positively correlated with the amount of IPMW expansion (P < .05) but not with IMW. The changes of the clinical crown heights in the maxillary canines, first premolars, and first molars were not significant at each time point. Conclusions: Nonsurgical MARME can be a clinically acceptable and stable treatment modality for young adults with a transverse maxillary deficiency.

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Evaluation of the Upper Airway in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undergoing Adenoidectomy Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

2009 2nd International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Informatics ◽

10.1109/bmei.2009.5305292 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ying Wang ◽

Yingxi Liu ◽

Xiuzhen Sun ◽

Zhaoyue Chen ◽

Fei Gao

Keyword(s):

Fluid Dynamics ◽

Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Upper Airway ◽

Obstructive Sleep

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Changes in the Upper and Lower Pharyngeal Airway Spaces Associated with Rapid Maxillary Expansion

ISRN Dentistry ◽

10.5402/2012/290964 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Fitin Aloufi ◽

Charles B. Preston ◽

Khalid H. Zawawi

Keyword(s):

Orthodontic Treatment ◽

Upper Airway ◽

Rapid Maxillary Expansion ◽

Lower Airway ◽

Control Group ◽

Maxillary Expansion ◽

Pharyngeal Airway ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Gender ◽

Maxillary Constriction

Objectives. The primary objectives of this retrospective study were first to compare the upper and lower pharyngeal airway spaces between orthodontic patients with and without maxillary constriction and second to evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on these airway spaces. A secondary objective was to compare the mode of breathing between groups. Materials and Methods. The experimental (RME) group consisted of 30 patients (mean age, years, 16 boys and 14 girls) with maxillary constriction who were treated with hyrax-type RME. The control group comprised the records of age- and gender matched patients (mean age, years, 16 boys and 14 girls) with no maxillary constriction but requiring nonextraction comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Cephalometric measurements in the sagittal dimension of upper and lower airway spaces for the initial and final records were recorded. Mode of breathing and length of treatment were also compared. Results. The sagittal dimension of the upper airway increased significantly in the RME group ( mm) compared to the control group ( mm), . However, there was no significant difference in the lower pharyngeal airway measurement between the RME group () and the control group (), . There was no significant difference with respect to mode of breathing between the two groups (). Conclusion. Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) during orthodontic treatment may have a positive effect on the upper pharyngeal airway, with no significant change on the lower pharyngeal airway.

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