Airway flow and audiologic ability evaluation after rapid maxillary expansion—Case report

Received 23 October 2008; received in revised form 25 March 2009; accepted 28 March 2009. published online 05 June 2009.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of rapid maxillary expansion (R.E.M.) with Hass appliance on auditory and respiratory apparatus in an old oral breathing subject who manifested narrow maxilla and conductive hearing loss. Hearing levels were determined with pure-tone audiogram and airway flow with an espirometry device. Hearing and breathing were improved after active expansion in an oral breathing patient. Positive effects on auditory and respiratory system are possible additional benefits of R.M.E. treatment in growing patient.

Keywords: Rapid maxillary expansion, Mouth breathing, Air flow, Conductive hearing loss, Pure-tone audiogram

a Department of Dentistry Master Degree, College of Dentistry, Federal University, Tv. Quintino Bocaiúva, 1249 Nazaré, CEP 66053000, Belém, PA, Brazil

b Department of Dentistry Master Degree, College of Dentistry, Federal University, Brazil

c Department of Dentistry Master Degree, College of Dentistry, CESUPA, Brazil

d Specialist in Oral Language of Adult and Elderly-USP and Oral Motricity, Hospital AC Camargo, Brazil

Corresponding author. Tel.: +00 55 91 32421102; fax: +00 55 91 32661142.

PII: S1871-4048(09)00024-0

doi:10.1016/j.pedex.2009.03.006

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