Effects of Maxillary Expansion on the Ear - A Review

Abstract

Rapid maxillary expansion is a commonly used treatment modality for the correction of maxillary transverse deficiency in cleft and non-cleft patients. Additional beneficial effects of rapid maxillry expansion includes improvement in nasal stenosis, abnormal breathing pattern and conductive hearing loss. The improvements in the hearing have been linked to the improved function of the two soft palatal muscles, the tensor veli palatini and the levator veli palatini muscles. This study aims to explore the different studies which have evaluated the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on hearing in cleft and non cleft patients.