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Primary Headache Relief in Paediatric Patients Following Rapid Maxillary Expansion: a Prospective Study and
M Farronato1, R Crispino1, F C Tartaglia2
1Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy. - Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan Italy.
Insights
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in growing patients significantly reduced primary headache (PH) episodes. This orthodontic treatment positively impacts PH by modifying nasal and maxillary structures.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neurology
Background:
- Primary headaches (PH) significantly impact quality of life in children and adolescents.
- Rhinogenic factors are implicated in PH episodes.
- Orthodontic treatment, specifically rapid maxillary expansion (RME), alters nasal and maxillary structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of skeletal modifications induced by RME on primary headache episodes in growing patients.
- To assess the relationship between RME-related anatomical changes and the frequency of PH.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-eight growing patients (7-12 years old) with maxillary constriction and at least 12 PH episodes/year were enrolled.
- Paired t-tests analyzed changes in PH episodes before and after RME.
- Spearman correlation and paired t-tests explored correlations between age, cephalometric changes, and PH episodes.
Main Results:
- RME led to significant increases in maxillary and nasal width and lower nasal length.
- A significant decrease in monthly primary headache episodes was observed post-RME.
- The study found a beneficial effect of RME on PH in the studied pediatric population.
Conclusions:
- Rapid maxillary expansion induces beneficial skeletal modifications in the craniofacial complex.
- RME treatment demonstrates a positive effect on reducing primary headache frequency in growing individuals.
- Orthodontic intervention via RME can be considered a therapeutic approach for primary headaches linked to maxillary constriction.
Background:
Primary headaches (PH) are a group of disorders greatly impairing quality of life, highly prevalent in growing population. Previous studies suggested a rhinogenic involvement in PH episodes. Modifications of nasal cavities and septum take place during rapid maxillary expansion (RME). This study aims to investigate the role of skeletal modifications due to RME on PH episodes.
Methods:
Sixty-eight growing patients (30/38 MF 7-12 y.o 9.2 ± 1.3 SD) were enrolled. All the selected sample patients reported at least 12 PH episodes in the previous year and were diagnosed with maxillary constriction to be treated with RME. Changes in PH episodes before and after this orthodontic procedure were analysed using paired t-tests. Correlations between age and PH episodes were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Correlations between cephalometric changes and PH episodes were investigated using paired t-tests.
Conclusion:
RME produces significant modifications in maxillary and nasal width and lower nasal length and decreased monthly episodes of PH significantly. It can be supposed and inferred that RME has beneficial effects on PH in growing patients.
