Introduction:

One of the treatments indicated for transverse maxillary deficiency is rapid maxillary expansion (REM). This article deals with REM therapy and shows, based on a bibliographic review, the various benefits that it can generate for the patient and the changes in their anatomy.

Objectives:

To elucidate the effect of REM therapy on the nasopharyngeal airway. Also expose, based on scientific evidence, the changes that it produces in the morphology and resistance on the pharyngeal airway. This through different study methods currently available.

Materials and methods:

A bibliographic search was carried out in the databases: PubMed, Clinicalkey and Epistemonikos. From a total universe of 77 publications, 12 studies were selected for this review.

Results:

In the studies carried out using cephalometric radiographs, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the nasopharyngeal airway space was obtained, particularly in the AD2 and AD-PtV measurements, after orthodontic treatment. On the other hand, AD1 also increased, but not significantly (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

REM therapy, in growing patients, manages to separate the middle palatal suture by increasing the size of the floor of the nostrils and the volume in the nasopharyngeal territory. Studies with a larger sample size and long-term follow-up are needed to establish the success of this therapy.

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