Three-dimensional analyses of short- and long-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion on nasal cavity and upper airway: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) changes occurring at short- and long-term follow-up after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in nasal cavity (NC) and upper airway (UA) in growing patients. Methods: A literature search up to 1 July 2019 was performed. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials and cohort studies comparing the effects of RME in a paediatric population using 3D analyses based on computed tomography (CT), cone-beam CT and MRI were included. The risks of bias of the included studies were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, the GRADE approach and a customized tool. The random-effects meta-ana..