1.      Maxillary expansion increased nasal airway volume and reduced apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in pediatric and adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

2.      Mini-screw–assisted rapid palatal expansion decreased mean AHI by 65% in adults, with improved oxygen saturation, lower sleepiness scores, and better quality of life.

3.      Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion provided stable skeletal widening; distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion reduced AHI and nasal obstruction scores and increased REM sleep.

4.      Suture separation success was highest in adolescents and female patients, but lower in older male patients.

5.      MARPE was linked to mucosal inflammation, device breakage, and asymmetric expansion; DOME had mostly minor complications.

6.      Evidence was based on small, heterogeneous studies with short follow-up; long-term outcomes remain uncertain.

Source: Dentistry Journal