Long-term effect on adenoid dimensions and craniocervical angulation after maxillary expansion with fixed or functional appliances

Background Maxillary expansion is a common orthodontic procedure that could have a positive effect also on airway patency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasopharyngeal area and cranio-cervical angulation in growing patients, compared to controls treated with a function-generating bite appliance (FGB). Material and methods Sixty patients aged 6-14 consecutively treated with RME or FGB were selected retrospectively and divided into two groups. Lateral cephalograms taken before and after treatment were retrieved, and the nasopharyngeal area, delimited superiorly by a sella-posterior nasal spine (PNS) line and inferiorly…