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Journals / Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 3

Changes in nasal cavity volume and intercanine width following rapid maxillary expansion: is there a correlation?

Büşra Özal Güneş(KIRIKKALE UNIVERSITY)0009-0007-7987-8973
Türkan Sezen Erhamza(DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-9540-9906
Perihan Dalgalı(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, GÜLHANE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY (ANKARA), GÜLHANE DENTISTRY PR. (ANKARA))0000-0002-1469-6729
Alaattin Tekeli(KIRIKKALE UNIVERSITY)0009-0002-0366-1659
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-06-25
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

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.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis: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.
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Key Findings & Data: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.
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Conclusion & Impact: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.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Rapid maxillary expansion · nasal cavity volume · acoustic rhinometry

Abstract

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.

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Cite This Article

Güneş, B. Ö., Erhamza, T. S., Dalgalı, P., Tekeli, A. (2026). Changes in nasal cavity volume and intercanine width following rapid maxillary expansion: is there a correlation?. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, Volume: 7 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1901636

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