Maxillary expansion for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Lee, Kee-Joon; Choi, Yoon Jeong

doi:2021.59.8.448

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 59(8); 2021 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2021;59(8):448-455.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2021.59.8.003 Published online July 31, 2021.

상악궁 확장을 통한 폐쇄성 수면무호흡 치료

이기준

, 최윤정

연세대학교 치과대학 교정과학교실, 두개안면기형 연구소

Maxillary expansion for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Kee-Joon Lee

, Yoon Jeong Choi

Department of Orthodontics, The Institute of Craniofacial Deformity Yonsei University College of Dentistry

Correspondence: Yoon Jeong Choi, Tel: 82-2-2228-3101, Fax: 82-2-363-3404,
Email: yoonjchoi@yuhs.ac

Abstract

Patients having obstructive sleep apnea frequently present malocclusion such as maxillary constriction, posterior crossbite, and long face. Maxillary expansion has been addressed to correct the malocclusion and to improve obstructive sleep apnea. In growing patients, rapid palatal expander (RPE) can separate the midpalatal suture and expand the maxilla, which results in increase of volume in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx as well as increase of the cross-sectional area. In non-growing patients, miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander can be used for the same effect. Maxillary expansion can be used for correction of obstructive sleep apnea in case of maxillary constriction.

Key Words: Obstructive sleep; apnea; maxillary expansion; RPE; MARPE