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Effect of a rapid maxillary expansion on snoring and sleep in children: a pilot study

Lilian Chrystiane Giannasi, Israel Reis Santos, Thays Almeida Alfaya

    Cranio : the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice
    |October 18, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    The McNamara rapid palatal expansion device effectively treated sleep disorders in children, significantly improving snoring, bruxism, and daytime symptoms. This non-invasive approach offers a promising alternative to surgery for pediatric sleep issues.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Sleep Medicine
    • Orthodontics

    Background:

    • Sleep disorders are prevalent in children, impacting their quality of life.
    • Snoring and bruxism are common symptoms that may indicate underlying sleep issues.
    • Non-surgical interventions are sought for pediatric sleep problems.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the efficacy of the McNamara rapid palatal expansion device.
    • To assess treatment outcomes for sleep disorders in children aged 4-11 years.

    Main Methods:

    • A sample of 12 children with snoring and bruxism was treated with the McNamara device.
    • Treatment involved a 7-15 day expansion period followed by 6-8 months of device use.
    • Sleep questionnaires were administered before and after treatment, with data analyzed using the McNemar test.

    Main Results:

    • Significant improvements were observed in tiredness upon waking (P=0.002) and mood (P=0.008).
    • Reductions in snoring (P=0.001) and bruxism (P=0.0062) were statistically significant.
    • Improvements in lip seal (P=0.031) and reduced drooling during sleep (P=0.031) were also noted.

    Conclusions:

    • Rapid maxillary expansion using the McNamara device is an effective non-invasive treatment for pediatric sleep disorders.
    • This method shows promise for managing snoring and other sleep-related behaviors in children.
    • The findings support the use of orthopedic appliances as an alternative to tonsil surgery in select cases.
    Abstract

    Keywords:
    Child,Sleep breathing disorderSleep diary,Sleep disorders,Therapeutics,

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