A comparison of transversal changes occurring in the treatment of rapid maxillary expansion with acoustic rhinometry.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cephalometric transversal measurements and nasal patency before and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment applied to patients with maxillary transversal deficiency. Methodology: The records of 30 patients with maxillary transversal insufficiency and 20 patients without normal dentofacial and nasal symptoms were used. Acoustic rhinometry (MCA1, MCA2, VOL1, VOL2) and cephalometry measurements (JR–JL, MMTI, nasal width) were analyzed before (TO) and six months after (T1) RME. Results: There were no significant differences in age and gender between the groups. After the RME treatment of the patients in the study group, there was a significant increase in the cephalometric measurement (JL–JR, MMTI, nasal width) and acoustic rhinometry measurement parameters (MCA1, MCA2, VOL1, VOL2). Cephalometric measurements showed consistent changes in the patients in the study group, suggesting that RME treatment increased the maxilla’s growth capacity. The postero-anterior cephalometry results improved after RME treatment and approached those of the control group. Conclusion: Significant improvement was observed in the cephalometric transversal measurements after RME treatment. This improvement indicated that RME increases maxillary growth capacity. There was no correlation between cephalometric and acoustic rhinometry. This result may be due to the inability of postero-anterior cephalometry to effectively evaluate the maxilla-related part of the nasal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]