The Effect of Maxillary Expansion on Pediatric Obstructive Sleep

Objective: The primary goal of this study is to determine if there is a statistically significant decrease in the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) after patients undergo maxillary expansion. Secondary outcome of interest is a decrease in the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Method: The study design is a randomized control cross over study. A total of 12 patients that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were entered into the study from a private orthodontic office. Sleep studies were performed utilizing the watchPAT 300 home sleep apnea test (HSAT) according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Itamar Medical 2020b). Every patient received a baseline sleep study (T1). The treatment group received their expander and were treated for a minimum of 3 months. After completion of maxillary expansion, they received their (T2) study. Thereafter, these patients were observed for 3 months and completed their final sleep study (T3). The control group received their baseline (T1) study and were observed for 3 months, after which they received their second sleep study (T2). This group was then treated with maxillary expansion for a minimum of 3 months and the final study (T3) was completed. Results: In this study, there was no significant difference in either AHI or RDI across all of the time points (T1-T3) Conclusion: The study herein does not support the use of maxillary expansion as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in this age group. While a decrease in AHI and RDI was witnessed across the study, it was not statistically significant. Future investigations, should focus on increasing the number of participants or extending the methods of this project to a younger cohort of patients to maximize skeletal expansion