Analysis of rapid maxillary expansion in mouth breathing patients using cone-beam computed tomography

• Grant number: 11/50585-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Shirley Shizue Nagata Pignatari
• Grantee: Shirley Shizue Nagata Pignatari
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a common procedure in orthodontics, indicated for the treatment of maxilla constriction and to increase the perimeter of the maxillary arch and then improving the alignrnent ofteeth. Studies on the objective and subjective effects of RME by using teleradiography, rinornanometry have tried to demonstrate changes in the anatomy and function of the nasal cavity, thereby, improving nasal breathing. Mouths breathing generally are submitted to RME when presenting atrophic maxilla, narrow inter-molar distance and high incidence of posterior cross bite. The Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), developed to scan the head and neck region with more precision and accuracy, has excellent spatiaI resolution in axial, coronal, sagittal, cuts in different two-dime dimensional projections and volumetric presentations and will be a great help to the objective evaluation of effects ofRME and the facial ao pharyngeal development .The goal ofthis research is through CBCT, to access the effects of the RME on the upper airway dimensions. Our study will measure: the width of the nasal and sinus floor in coronal axis; air volume of the oropharynx, in cross section and air volume of nasopharynx, axial and sagittal cut. The sample shall consist of 25 mouth-breathing patients with atrophic maxilla, ages 6 to 14 of both sexes. Method: CBCT will be used in 2 occasions, immediately pre and post-rapid expansion of the maxilla. The patient will be his own controI. It is expected that the results demonstrate objectively an increase in the size of the nasal cavity through the CBCT evaluation. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

EDNA NAMIKO IZUKA; MURILO FERNANDO NEUPPMANN FERES; SHIRLEY SHIZUE NAGATA PIGNATARI. Immediate impact of rapid maxillary expansion on upper airway dimensions and on the quality of life of mouth breathers. Dental Press J. Orthod., v. 20, n. 3, p. 43-49, 2015-06-00. (11/50585-0)