Rapid maxillary expansion in therapy-resistant enuretic children: An orthodontic perspective

Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME): An Otolaryngologic Perspective

Background. To evaluate the possible effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME), such as nasal breathing problems, middle ear function, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in the otolaryngology field. RME has already been introduced in orthodontics to expand the maxilla of young patients affected by transversal maxillary constriction. Methods. A literature search was performed using different databases (Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL), from May 2005 to November 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Results. The application of RME in children has shown good results on nasal function, reducing nasal resistances, independently from a previous adenotonsillectomy. These results are not only related to the increasing of nasal transverse diameters and volume, but also to the stiffening of airway muscles, enabling the nasal filtrum function and avoiding mouth opening, thereby decreasing respiratory infections. Positive effects have also been reported for the treatment of conductive hearing loss and of OSA, with the reduction of Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), possibly due to (i) an increased pharyngeal dimensions, (ii) a new tongue posture, and (iii) reduced nasal respiratory problems. Conclusions. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the indications and benefits of the RME treatment, considering its possible multiple beneficial effects.

Specific dento-craniofacial characteristics in non-syndromic children can predispose to sleep-disordered breathing

AIM

To ascertain and illustrate specific clinical dento-craniofacial characteristics associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in non-syndromic children.

METHODS

Narrative review of literature on SDB, dental occlusion and craniofacial morphology retrieved through online literature database search for these terms. The review focused on clinical examples and graphical illustrations in order to ascertain the association between dento-craniofacial characteristics and SDB. Only publications concerning healthy non-syndromic children without any somatic or psychological diagnosis were included.

RESULTS

Dento-craniofacial characteristics such as anterior open bite, large overjet, cross bite and facial appearance such as convex profile due to mandibular retrognathia and inclination, narrow and high palate can predispose to SDB in non-syndromic children. Furthermore, extended head posture, mouth breathing and general adenoidal face may be symptoms or predisposing factors to SDB in non-syndromic children.

CONCLUSION

Dento-craniofacial characteristics as anterior open bite, large overjet due to mandibular retrognathia, cross bite, and narrow and high palate can predispose to SDB in non-syndromic children. Facial characteristics predisposing to SDB can be a convex facial profile, extended head posture, mouth breathing and general adenoidal face. Interdisciplinary collaboration between medical doctors and dentists can prove valuable in diagnostics, prevention and treatment of SDB in non-syndromic children.

Sleep-disordered breathing and malocclusion in children and adolescents-a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has negative influence on children's development and well-being. Malocclusion due to some craniofacial anatomical characteristics may be associated with SDB.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to ascertain whether SDB is associated with malocclusion in children/adolescents, aged 6-15 years compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

Prospero ID: CRD42021232103. A systematic electronic literature search following PRISMA was performed in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were as follows: Healthy children/adolescents aged 6-15 years with malocclusion undergoing polysomnography (PSG) or polygraphy (PG) and/or sleep questionnaire and orthodontic screening; compared to a healthy age-matched control group with neutral or minor deviation in the occlusion without requirement for orthodontic treatment; publications in English, Danish, Norwegian or Swedish published until 23 March 2021. JBI Critical Appraisal Tools and GRADE were used to evaluate the risk of bias and level of evidence.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 1996 records, 610 duplicates were removed, 1386 records were screened, and 1322 records were excluded. Sixty-four studies were selected for full-text reading, and four publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The included studies had moderate risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was low.

CONCLUSION

No firm conclusion can be drawn regarding an association between specific malocclusion traits and SDB. Thus, the studies found no association between molar relationship and crowding and SDB symptoms in children. It may be recommended that future studies include objective PSG or PG in diagnosis of SDB and compare groups of children with skeletal malocclusion and controls with neutral malocclusion.

Influence of rapid maxillary expansion on nocturnal enuresis in children

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the influence of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nocturnal enuresis (NE) in children to discuss whether RME can be indicated as an alternative treatment for NE in those patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An electronic search was performed in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and LILACS. The literature review was blindly performed by two reviewers. References of each selected study were manually searched to identify articles that were not found by the electronic search. Kappa statistics were used to analyze interexaminer agreement after the selection of the articles. After reading the selected full-text articles, the studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed qualitatively using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) and the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized controlled trials-2 (RoB 2). The certainty level of evidence was assessed through the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool. Kappa tests were used to analyze the interexaminer concordance level after the quality assessment of the studies.

RESULTS

A total of 488 articles were found; however, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 8 studies were selected for the systematic review. A low certainty level of evidence suggested that RME seems to promote a variable reduction in frequency or a remission of NE in children in both the short (4, 6, and 8 months) and long term (13, 36, 48, and 120 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on currently available information, RME seems to promote an improvement in NE in children. However, the low quality of the existing evidence weakens the recommendation.

Effects of rapid maxillary expansion or alternating rapid maxillary expansion and constriction on nasal mucociliary clearance : A randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

This parallel trial aimed to evaluate the changes in nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) after a rapid maxillary expansion (RME) protocol or an alternating rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (Alt-RAMEC) protocol in orthodontic patients.

METHODS

This trial included 36 patients with a mean age of 14.38 years, with a narrow maxillary arch, bilateral posterior crossbite, no narrowing of the mandibular arch, no previous orthodontic treatment, and no nasal or systemic disease. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups (n = 18 each)-one group was treated with the RME protocol and the other group was treated with the Alt-RAMEC protocol. MCC was evaluated using the saccharine transit time (STT) test, which was measured for each individual before expansion (T0), after expansion (T1), and after a 4-month retention phase (T2). The study was single blinded, and blinding was applied only to the outcome assessor. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of the Alt-RAMEC and RME protocols on MCC. The secondary objective was to determine the relationship between age, sex, and MCC. The χ ² test and independent samples t‑test were used to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

The STT decreased after expansion and retention in the RME group. In the Alt-RAMEC group, the STT decreased after expansion and slightly increased after retention. When the RME and Alt-RAMEC groups were compared, the STT showed a significant difference after expansion and retention (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between age and sex and STT (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the Alt-RAMEC protocol improved MCC and had a positive effect on nasal physiology by increasing the nasal volume more than that achieved by RME.

Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Nocturnal Enuresis in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Controlled Clinical Trials

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of rapid palatal expansion in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis among 6–18-year-old children and adolescents.

Methods

Comprehensive searches were carried out in 6 electronic databases (EBSCO, ProQuest, Clinical Key, Science Direct, SCOPUS, and OVID) and supplemented by additional manual searches in 4 orthodontic journals until June 2020. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of children and adolescents aged 6–18 years old of both genders who underwent rapid palatal expansion and were considered unresponsive to previous conventional nocturnal enuresis treatment were included in this review. Risk of bias of individual trials was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool for CCTs and the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for RCTs (RoB 2).

Results

Four studies met all inclusion criteria and were finally included in this systematic review, of which one was an RCT and three were CCTs. Reduction in nocturnal enuresis frequency was reported in all included studies with varying rates and methods of reporting, but most studies reported a statistically significant reduction in the number of wet nights per week. The average range of becoming completely dry 1 year after treatment with an RME was 0%–60%. Also, there was a statistically significant correlation between an improvement in bedwetting and an increase in nasal volume after the use of RME.

Conclusion

A rapid palatal expansion device may be considered as an alternative treatment option of the nocturnal enuresis condition with guarded prognosis when other treatment modalities have failed.

Rapid maxillary expansion in children with nocturnal enuresis: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a useful treatment method for nocturnal enuresis (NE) and whether the treatment effect is due to placebo. The study also aimed to identify prognostic variables in patients responding to treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight children with therapy-resistant NE were recruited and randomized into two groups: the intervention group or placebo group. Both groups were treated with RME, but the placebo group received treatment with a sham appliance for 2 weeks before having the actual treatment. A medical history focused on micturition habits, previous treatment, heredity, and sleep disorders was taken. Daytime voided volumes and nocturnal urine production during wet nights were recorded before the intervention.

RESULTS

Of the 38 patients recruited, two dropped out as one patient was unable to take dental impressions and one refused to have the appliance fitted. There was a statistically significant reduction of wet nights after the RME treatment (P < .001). No significant reduction was found after the placebo treatment (P < .40). Eleven patients (35%) had their enuresis frequency reduced by >50%. Large voiding volume and a wide maxilla at baseline had a strong association with positive treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

RME has a modest effect on children with therapy-resistant NE. The treatment outcome does not seem to be due to a placebo effect of the appliance. A wide maxillary width and large voiding volume at baseline seem to be positive predictors regarding response to treatment.

Effects on nasal airflow and resistance using two different RME appliances: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives

To evaluate and compare the effects of tooth-borne (TB) and tooth-bone-borne (TBB) rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasal airflow and resistance.

Material and methods

Fifty-four consecutive patients who met the eligibility criteria were recruited from September 2010 to December 2015. Of these 54 subjects, 40 agreed to participate in the part of the study involving evaluation of nasal flow and resistance. The 40 subjects were allocated to either the TB group, mean age 9.7 years (SD 1.5), or the TBB group, mean age 10.2 years (SD 1.4). All subjects performed rhinomanometric registration at baseline (T0), but only 30 attended the post-expansion registration (T1), of whom 16 had been randomized to the TB group and 14 to the TBB group. The study outcomes, nasal airflow and nasal airway resistance, were evaluated with linear regression adjusted for baseline variable of the outcome to compare the study groups with complete cases strategy as well as after multiple imputation (MI).

Randomization

Participants were randomly allocated in blocks of different sizes, using the concealed allocation principle in a 1:1 ratio. The randomization list was computer generated to ensure homogeneity between groups.

Blinding

Blinding was done only for outcome assessor due to clinical limitations. The care providers at the ENT unit who conducted all the rhinomanometry examinations were blinded to which group the patients were allocated to.

Results

Complete case analysis showed significantly higher post-expansion nasal airflow values for the TBB group compared with the TB group, mean difference 51.0 cm3/s (P = 0.018). The evaluation after MI showed a similar significant mean difference, 52.7 cm3/s (P = 0.020) in favour of the TBB group when taking into account the missing values from the T1 examination. Even reduction in nasal airway resistance showed similar pattern in favour of the TBB group.

Limitations

Our results represent the short-term effects. A longer follow-up period would have been preferable.

Conclusions

The TBB RME induced significantly higher nasal airway flow and lower nasal resistance values than TB RME. It might be wiser to use TBB RME in cases with constricted maxilla and upper airway obstruction.

Registration

This trial was not registered in any external sites.

Protocol

The protocol was not published before trial commencement.

Isoquercitrin, a flavonoid glucoside, exerts a positive effect on osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) possess various pharmacological effect as a biologically active compound. The aim of the present study was to investigate its potential effects on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and bone formation in the mid-palatal suture during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in vivo. Cell proliferation of rat BMSCs was detected by cell-counting kit- 8 (CCK-8) assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and alizarin red staining were used to evaluate osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Furthermore, the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes including runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) were measured by real-time RT-PCR. In vivo, thirty-six male 6-week-old Wistar rats with or without suture expansion receive systemic administration of isoquercitrin or saline solution. Micro-CT, HE and Masson staining were used to compare the morphological changes between the groups. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) expression in the suture was detected using immunohistochemical staining. Our results showed that isoquercitrin significantly promoted cell proliferation, ALP activity and mineral deposition in the range from 0.01 to 1 μM. Moreover, the expression levels of Runx2, BSP and ATF6 were also upregulated. The measurement of micro-CT imaging and histological examinations demonstrated that daily oral administration of isoquercitrin (10 mg/kg) increased bone formation compared to the other groups. Furthermore, the expression level of BMP2 was also augmented in the presence of isoquercitrin. Consequently, those findings showed that isoquercitrin exerts stimulatory effects on osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that isoquercitrin could be a potential candidate for preventing relapse following RME within palatal sutures.

Sleep disordered breathing in enuretic children and controls

INTRODUCTION

Nocturnal enuresis and sleep disordered breathing are common childhood problems that are reported to be associated with each other. Sleep disordered breathing is often found in children with upper airway obstruction and, according to some studies, its presence is associated with an increased risk of nocturnal enuresis. Respiration during sleep in children with therapy-resistant enuresis, but no history of snoring or sleep apneas, has previously been investigated, and subclinical signs of disordered respiration were found in this group. However, sleep disordered breathing in enuretic children without a history of snoring or sleep apneas has not been thoroughly studied before.

AIM

To evaluate sleep disordered breathing in enuretic children and compare them with healthy control children.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Children aged 8-13 years with nocturnal enuresis were included. Exclusion criteria were: daytime incontinence, on-going anti-enuretic treatment, and concomitant urological, endocrinological, nephrological or psychiatric disorders. Twenty children (19 boys and 1 girl) suffering from therapy-resistant nocturnal enuresis, and 21 healthy controls (18 boys and 3 girls) underwent one night of polygraphic sleep registration focused on respiratory variables. The registration included electroencephalography as well as assessment of respiratory movements, nasal airflow and oxygen saturation; it was performed with a portable sleep device at the subjects' homes. In addition to this, OSA 18, a health-related quality of life instrument, was used to evaluate subjective issues related to sleep and breathing.

RESULTS

The mean apnea hypopnea index values were 0.96 ± 0.8 for the patient group and 0.46 ± 0.4 for the control group. The oxygen desaturation index was slightly higher for the children with nocturnal enuresis compared with the healthy controls (P = 0.05). No other differences were found in the respiratory variables. Both groups of children showed low levels of arousals (Summary Table). The enuretic children reported significantly more subjective sleep disturbances and a lower quality of life than their healthy peers.

DISCUSSION

This was the first controlled study of sleep disordered breathing in children with nocturnal enuresis. One limitation of the study was that some variables were known to be underestimated when scoring polygraphic data. The apnea hypopnea index was such a variable and was indeed lower than in a previous study.

CONCLUSION

No major differences in respiration during sleep were found between enuretic children and controls.

Can rapid maxillary expansion cause auditory improvement in children and adolescents with hearing loss? A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the use of palatal expansion techniques can influence hearing loss in children and adolescents with previous hearing impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Lilacs, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar were performed with a controlled vocabulary and free-text terms relating to palatal expansion and hearing loss. No language or time restrictions were imposed. Clinical trials that focused on human patients treated with rapid or semirapid maxillary expansion in children and teenagers with hearing loss were included. Data extraction was undertaken by two authors, with conflict resolution by a third author. Risk of bias assessment and data extraction were performed on the selected studies.

RESULTS

Seventy-four citations were retrieved by the search. Initially, 12 studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria, but three studies were excluded because of the presence of adults, absence of hearing level evaluation, and oversampling, resulting in nine studies. The mean improvement in hearing levels varied from 2 to 19 dB among the studies. The risk of bias varied from low to moderate risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence indicated that there was a hearing improvement after maxillary expansion in patients with hearing loss in the evaluated studies, although more controlled and randomized studies are necessary to investigate this issue further.

Study of behavioural disorders in children with primary enuresis

BACKGROUND

Enuresis results in behavioural disorder in children. This study investigated the behavioural disorders in children possessing primary enuresis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 100 children with primary enuresis were referred to children's hospital Khorramabad; the census method was used in this study. Data were collected using a short screening instrument for enuresis psychological problems, the reliability and validity of which have been confirmed in previous studies. First, a questionnaire was used to assess academic failure, anxiety, behavioural disorders, sleep, and psychological disorders. Results obtained were compared in terms of gender and age. Statistical analyses using inferential and descriptive statistics including Chi-square and Fisher test were employed.

RESULTS

The average age of children was 8.46 years. Sixty-six per cent of participants were male and the rest of them were female. Ninety per cent of subjects were between the age range of 1-9 years, and 10% were over 10 years old. Forty-three per cent of children suffered from anxiety disorders and 34% had sleep disorders, 4% also suffered from academic failure. Among behavioural disorders, hyperactivity and restlessness were the most common disorders, and they were significantly higher in nine boys. Headache, obsessive, and sleep disorders were more common in children above 10. There was a significant correlation between eating disorders, headache, sleep disorders, and strange movements in males, while feelings of sadness were more common in females.

CONCLUSION

Social personality development in children with enuresis can be improved by informing parents of enuresis.

Correlation between acoustic rhinometry, computed rhinomanometry and cone-beam computed tomography in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency

INTRODUCTION

To provide clinical information and diagnosis in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency with posterior crossbite, numerous exams can be performed; however, the correlation among these exams remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correlation between acoustic rhinometry, computed rhinomanometry, and cone-beam computed tomography in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency (7-13 y.o.) patients with posterior crossbite. The examinations assessed: (i) acoustic rhinometry: nasal volumes (0-5cm and 2-5cm) and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 and 2 of nasal cavity; (ii) computed rhinomanometry: flow and average inspiratory and expiratory resistance; (iii) cone-beam computed tomography: coronal section on the head of inferior turbinate (Widths 1 and 2), middle turbinate (Widths 3 and 4) and maxilla levels (Width 5). Acoustic rhinometry and computed rhinomanometry were evaluated before and after administration of vasoconstrictor. Results were compared by Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Positive correlations were observed between: (i) flow evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and Width 4 (Rho=0.380) and Width 5 (Rho=0.371); (ii) Width 2 and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho=0.380); (iii) flow evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and nasal volumes of 0-5cm (Rho=0.421), nasal volumes of 2-5cm (Rho=0.393) and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 (Rho=0.375); (iv) Width 4 and nasal volumes of 0-5cm evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho=0.376), nasal volumes of 2-5cm evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho=0.376), minimum cross-sectional areas 1 evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho=0.410) and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 after administration of vasoconstrictor (Rho=0.426); (v) Width 5 and Width 1 (Rho=0.542), Width 2 (Rho=0.411), and Width 4 (Rho=0.429). Negative correlations were observed between: (i) Width 4 and average inspiratory resistance (Rho=-0.385); (ii) average inspiratory resistance evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and nasal volumes of 0-5cm (Rho=-0.382), and average expiratory resistance evaluated before administration of vasoconstrictor and minimum cross-sectional areas 1 (Rho=-0.362).

CONCLUSION

There were correlations between acoustic rhinometry, computed rhinomanometry, and cone-beam computed tomography in mouth breathers with transverse maxillary deficiency.