Impact of Maxillary Palatal Expansion on Airway Dimensions and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder characterized by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep, significantly impacting quality of life. Orthodontists are increasingly recognized for their role in screening and managing anatomical factors contributing to airway obstruction. One such intervention is rapid maxillary expansion (RME), originally developed to address transverse maxillary deficiencies but now also studied for its influence on nasal and oropharyngeal airway dimensions. This literature review evaluates the effects of maxillary palatal expansion on airway volume and respiratory function. Evidence consistently shows increases in nasal cavity volume and reductions in nasal airway resistance, particularly in patients treated before the peak of skeletal growth. Some studies reported improvements in sleep outcomes and enhanced oxygen saturation following MARPE in adults with OSA. Results regarding changes in oropharyngeal volume were more variable, with several studies showing significant expansion. Factors influencing outcomes include patient age, skeletal maturity, appliance type, and aging modality. Hybrid and bone-borne expanders generally demonstrated gr