The evaluation of airway changes with computed tomography in rapid maxillary expansion patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the airway changes of patients who underwent rapid palatal expansion, in three-dimension by using computed tomography (CT).The material of this study was composed of patients who referred to Dicle University Dental Faculty, Department of Orthodontics for orthodontic treatment and had bilateral crossbite due to maxillary constriction. The patients were divided into two groups as expansion (RME) and control groups. In expansion group, maxillary expansion was aimed by using Bonded and Banded-type appliances. CT scans of patients in expansion group were obtained before RME (T1), after RME (T2) and after 6-month retention ( T3) period.A total of 15 patients, 8 female and 7 male, with a mean age of 12.84 were treated with Bonded-type appliance and a total of 15 patients, 12 female and 3 male, with a mean age of 13.32 were treated with Banded-type appliance. The data of the patients in expansion group were comparatively evaluated with a control group consisted of 15 patients with a mean age of 12.48, who had dental and skeletal Class I occlusion without crossbite.In expansion group, transversal and airway measurements were performed on posteroanterior graphies obtained from CT scans in T1, T2 and T3 periods.Paired Student?s t test and Student?s t test were used respectively for the intra group and inter group comparison of expansion group. For intra group comparison of control group, Wilcoxon test and paired t test were used. Student?s t test was used for the comparison of independent groups in expansion group. For the comparison of control group with expansion groups, Dunnett test was performed.At the end of this study, sutural expansion and maxillary expansion were achieved in both expansion groups. In both groups, significant increases were found in all skeletal and dental transversal dimensions and nasal cavity, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway volumes.In conclusion, RME appliances can be used in patients with maxillary constriction, whose nasal cavity, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway volumes are needed to be expanded.Key words: Rapid Maxillary Expansion, Bonded RME, Banded RME, Airway, Computed Tomography.