Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Conductive Hearing loss- Review

Abstract

In recent years, great emphasis has been given to the Stomatognathic system. Constricted maxillary arch is not only a dental issue, but it has other systemic concerns. This maxillary constriction is one of the causes of nasal stenosis, which may be associated with mouth breathing, that can affect the Eustachian tubes and the middle ear, and resulting in hearing loss. Rapid maxillary expansion is an orthodontic procedure for the correction of transverse maxillary problems. Rapid maxillary expansion produces changes in the oral and nasopharyngeal region thus improve the hearing. The purpose of this article is to make the clinician aware of some cases of conductive hearing loss, a relationship may exist with constricted maxillary arch and review the literature and to evaluate the effect of maxillary expansion on conductive hearing loss.