Effect of Maxillary Expansion and Protraction in Class III Children on Quality of Life, Dentofacial and Upper Airway Characteristics: A Controlled Clinical Trial.
Orthodontics & craniofacial research, cilt.29, sa.3, ss.481-489, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 29 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/ocr.12935
- Dergi Adı: Orthodontics & craniofacial research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.481-489
- Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: To explore the relationship between early dentofacial orthopaedic treatment, improvement in the width of oropharynx and nasopharynx, and quality of life.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-three prepubertal children with skeletal Class III (median age 9 years; 56% females) received treatment with a maxillary expander and facemask. These subjects were matched with two control groups: one comprising an equal number of untreated Class III individuals, and the other consisting of untreated Class I controls. Cephalograms were analysed, and both children and their parents self-administered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire, Parental- Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire and Family Impact Scale.
Results: Treated Class III cases showed significant increases in the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airway width (p ≤ 0.033), with greater changes in the nasopharyngeal width compared to untreated Class III cases (p = 0.040). Compared to untreated Class III and Class I groups, treated Class III cases exhibited reduced mandibular prominence and sagittal skeletal Class, increased overjet, overbite, vertical facial dimension, and greater retroclination and retrusion of mandibular incisors (p ≤ 0.011). Prior to and following orthodontic treatment, Class III cases reported a lower quality of life across all dimensions compared to Class I controls (p ≤ 0.032). An increase in maxillary anterior movement and oropharyngeal width correlated with a decrease in functional limitations reported by children (r = −0.411- (−0.413)); (p ≤ 0.022).
Conclusion: Maxillary expansion and protraction in prepubertal Class III children can enhance upper airways width, and children associate these improvements with a reduction in functional limitations.
Keywords: airway management | interceptive orthodontics | maxillary expansion