Short- and long-term effect of surgically assisted maxillary expansion on nasal airway size.

Transverse maxillary deficiency (TMD) may reduce nasal dimensions and lead to oral breathing. The objective of the present study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of surgically assisted maxillary expansion on nasal airway size of patients with TMD. Eleven subjects with TMD and skeletal maturity were submitted to posterior rhinomanometry to determine the minimum nasal cross-sectional area (CSA) before and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.