The Impact of Maxillary Expansion on Adults' Nasal Breathing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Effects of minimally invasive surgical and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MISMARPE) on the nasal cavity and upper airway: a comparative cohort study

This study was performed to evaluate the impact on the upper airway and nasal cavity of a new minimally invasive surgical and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MISMARPE) technique for the treatment of adult patients with transverse maxillary deficiency, in comparison to surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). Computed tomography scans of 21 MISMARPE and 16 SARPE patients were obtained preoperatively (T0) and at the end of the activation period (T1) and analysed. Linear and volumetric measurements were performed in the dental, alveolar, nasal cavity, and oropharynx regions. Generalised estimating equations were used to consider the intervention time and surgery type, and their interaction. In both groups, measurements were increased at T1 (P < 0.001), except for oropharynx volume (P > 0.05). A greater expansion in nasal cavity floor and median palatal suture was shown for MISMARPE when compared to SARPE (P < 0.001), with the same degree of expander activation (P = 0.094). A trapezoidal (coronal plane) and 'V' shape (axial plane) expansion pattern, was observed after MISMARPE. Both surgical techniques were effective for maxillary expansion in adults. However, MISMARPE was performed without osteotomy of the pterygomaxillary suture, in an outpatient setting and with local anaesthesia.

Randomized clinical trial of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion with two and three segments for nasal breathing

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME), with osteotomies separating the maxilla into two segments (SARME-2S) and three segments (SARME-3S), on obstruction symptoms and nasal cavity dimensions in patients with maxillary transverse skeletal deficiency (MTSD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients with MTSD of 7 mm or above were evaluated in each group, for a total of 32 patients. All patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively up to 10 months after the expander activations. The minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) and the volume of the nasal cavities were identified by acoustic rhinometry. The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale questionnaire was applied. The palate surface area (PSA) was measured, via digitized maxillary models, as a criterion for comparison with the other variables studied.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the groups (p = 0.370) and was verified a significant increase in PSA postoperatively. MCA showed a small increase without statistical significance, and together with the volume of the nasal cavities remained constant during the study. NOSE scale scores decreased significantly in the postoperative periods, implying a decrease in nasal obstruction symptoms in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SARME with two and three segments show similar results, and both may improve nasal obstruction symptoms when present in patients with MTSD.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

SARME, regardless of the chosen surgical technique, should follow the recommendation to correct just the MTSD. While an improvement in nasal breathing is expected, this must be understood as likely, but not certain.

Obstructive sleep apnea: a review for the orthodontist

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects an important part of the population and is characterized by recurrent total or partial obstruction of the upper airway (UA) during sleep, negatively affecting the quality of life of patients in the short and long terms, and constituting an important public health problem for the society. The field of expertise of orthodontists is closely related to the UA, placing them in a strategic position to diagnose air passage failures and intervene when necessary. Orthodontists, as health professionals, must know how to recognize respiratory problems and manage them appropriately, when indicated.

OBJECTIVE

Thus, this paper aims to review and critically evaluate the related literature, to provide orthodontists with updated knowledge on the diagnosis and therapy related to OSA. Science and technology are constantly evolving; thus, the literature was also reviewed considering new technologies available in consumer-targeted applications and devices for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.

Is maxillary expansion effective in treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome? A systematic review of systematic reviews

Background Maxillary expansion (ME) might be beneficial in improving airway dimensions and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in patients with constricted maxillae. The aim of this overview is to present clinicians with a summary of the evidence. Data from systematic reviews and meta-analyses were evaluated to investigate the effect of ME on OSAS.Methods An electronic search was commenced in five databases, in addition to a manual search until July 2021. Screening of articles started with title and abstract followed by full-text assessment. Systematic reviews with/without meta-analyses were included. Critical appraisal was done using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2, Level of Research Design scoring and criteria of body of evidence scores. The search, study selection and critical appraisal were completed by three reviewers.Results In total, 14 systematic reviews with/without meta-analyses were included. The quality of available evidence ranged between low to high, based on the overall quality evaluation.Conclusions Based on the available evidence, maxillary expansion might be able to improve the nasal airway volume and OSAS in both growing and adult patients in the short term. ME can be considered as one of the treatment options in cases with OSAS.

Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE): An Umbrella Review

In postpubertal patients, maxillary transverse discrepancy is a common condition often requiring surgical approaches. To overcome the excess morbidity and discomfort, maxillary expansion through miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) was proposed and studied in the last few years. This umbrella review aims to critically appraise the quality of evidence and the main clinical outcomes of available systematic reviews (SRs) on MARPE. An extensive search was carried out in five electronic databases (PubMed-Medline, Cochrane Database of SRs, Scielo, Web of Science, and LILACS) until December 2021. The methodological quality was appraised using the A Measurement Tool to Assess SRs criteria 2 (AMSTAR2). The primary outcome was the methodological quality of SRs. Overall, four SRs were included and analyzed, one of high methodological quality, one of low and two of critically low. Despite the verified methodological constraints, MARPE seems to present significant clinical changes when compared to conventional RPE, SARPE or controls and less adverse clinical outcomes. The quality of evidence produced by the available SRs was not favorable. Future high standard SRs and well-designed clinical trials are warranted to better clarify the clinical protocols and outcomes success of MARPE.