Changes in nasal volume after surgically assisted bone-borne rapid maxillary expansion

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2010 Jun;137(6):782-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.03.042.

Abstract

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to detect, locate, and examine the changes in transverse nasal width, area, and volume from bone-borne, surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) with the Dresden distractor by using computer tomography (CT).

Methods: Sixteen patients (average age, 28.7 years) underwent axial CT scanning before and 6 months after SARME. They also underwent CT fusion on specific bony structures. The nasal bone width was examined in the coronal plane. The cross-sectional images of the nasal cavity were taken of the area surrounding the apertura piriformis, the choanae, and in between. We calculated cross-sectional areas and nasal volume according to these data.

Results: All but 2 patients had an increase in nasal volume of at least 5.1% (SD, 4.6%). The largest value of 35.3% (SD, 45.8%) was measured anteriorly on the nasal floor, decreasing cranially and posteriorly. This correlated with the V-shaped opening of the sutura palatina. There was no significant correlation between increase in nasal volume and transversal expansion.

Conclusions: Because most of the air we breathe passes over the lower nasal floor, SARME is likely to improve nasal breathing.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Male
  • Malocclusion / surgery*
  • Nasal Bone / anatomy & histology
  • Nasal Cavity / anatomy & histology
  • Nasopharynx / anatomy & histology
  • Nose / anatomy & histology*
  • Nose / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteogenesis, Distraction / methods*
  • Palatal Expansion Technique*
  • Palate, Hard / surgery*
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed
  • Young Adult