Büşra ÖZAL GÜNEŞ, Türkan SEZEN ERHAMZA, Perihan DALGALI, Alaattin TEKELİ
Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care - 2026;7(3):575-579
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in nasal cavity volume and maxillary intercanine width following rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and to investigate whether a relationship exists between these two parameters. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with transverse maxillary deficiency treated with a Hyrax-type RME appliance. Nasal cavity volume was evaluated using acoustic rhinometry, a non-invasive method commonly used to assess nasal cavity dimensions, while maxillary intercanine width was measured on dental casts using a digital caliper with 0.01-mm accuracy. Measurements were performed before expansion (T0) and after the retention period (T1). Pre- and post-treatment changes were analyzed using paired t-tests, and the association between changes in nasal cavity volume and intercanine width was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Following RME, nasal cavity volume increased significantly (p<0.05). A significant post-treatment increase was also observed in maxillary intercanine width (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant correlation could be demonstrated between changes in nasal cavity volume and maxillary intercanine width within the present sample (r=0.26, p=0.31). Conclusion: RME significantly increased both nasal cavity volume and maxillary intercanine width. However, a statistically significant correlation between these changes could not be demonstrated within the present sample, suggesting that dental transverse expansion may not reliably predict nasal airway improvement.
