OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to evaluate cephalometrically the upper respiratory airway dimensions before and after rapid maxillary expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: rapid palatal expansion was performed on 24 5-9 year old children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy determined radiographically by means of lateral cephalographs. Also, the subjects were questioned concerning their ability to breath through their noses. RESULTS: there was an increase in upper respiratory width that often coincided with a reported improvement in nasal respiration. Adenoid volume was not reduced. CONCLUSIONS: the increase in pharyngeal space and improvement in nasal breathing resulted from an increase in pharyngeal lumen enlargement rather than a reduction in the volume of the adenoid tissue.
OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to evaluate cephalometrically the upper respiratory airway dimensions before and after rapid maxillary expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: rapid palatal expansion was performed on 24 5-9 year old children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy determined radiographically by means of lateral cephalographs. Also, the subjects were questioned concerning their ability to breath through their noses. RESULTS: there was an increase in upper respiratory width that often coincided with a reported improvement in nasal respiration. Adenoid volume was not reduced. CONCLUSIONS: the increase in pharyngeal space and improvement in nasal breathing resulted from an increase in pharyngeal lumen enlargement rather than a reduction in the volume of the adenoid tissue.