Guest Editorial

Year : 2016 | Volume : 7 | Issue : 4 | Page : 121-123

Maxillary expansion and breathing function: Where we are now?

Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

Correspondence Address:

Rosamaria Fastuca

Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

Fastuca R. Maxillary expansion and breathing function: Where we are now?. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2016;7:121-3

Fastuca R. Maxillary expansion and breathing function: Where we are now?. Int J Orthod Rehabil [serial online] 2016 [cited 2022 Mar 9];7:121-3. Available from: https://www.orthodrehab.org/text.asp?2016/7/4/121/197451

Since originally proposed by Angell[1]in 1860, the rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment has become a popular treatment to correct skeletal transverse maxillary discrepancy. However, the efficiency of such procedures was demonstrated only 100 years later[2],[3]following the advent of proper radiographical recordings.

According to the anatomical proximity between nasal cavity and hard palate, an orthopedic expansion of the former might occur as consequence of the RME treatment. This hypothesis has initially been investigated decades ago. In particular, earlier studies[4],[5]evaluated the advantages of RME treatment in improving nasal airflow in patients with nasal stenosis. It was later suggested that RME treatment triggers effects on nasal width[6],[7],[8]and volume.[9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14]Indeed, some studies[15],[16]showed a reduction in nasal airway resistance after RME treatment. Consistently, a more recent investigation[17]reported up to 45% increase in nasal cross-sectional areas after expansion. In spite of this evidence, considering the V-shaped opening pattern of the midpalatal suture,[4],[5]the only purpose of increasing respiratory performance has been reported as not sufficient to indicate an RME treatment.[17]

Source of Support: 

None

Conflict of Interest: 

None

DOI: 10.4103/2349-5243.197451

How to cite this article: Fastuca R. Maxillary expansion and breathing function: Where we are now?. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2016;7:121-3.