Adult Maxillary Expansion: Enhancing Health and Well-Being
Maxillary expansion, traditionally used in children and adolescents to correct dental and skeletal discrepancies, is now recognized for its benefits in adults as well. Adult maxillary expansion can significantly improve nasal breathing, posture, and overall health. This blog explores the process, benefits, and supporting research for adult maxillary expansion.
Understanding Adult Maxillary Expansion
Maxillary expansion involves widening the upper jaw to correct narrow palates and improve dental alignment. While it is more commonly performed in growing children, advancements in orthodontic techniques have made it a viable option for adults. The process typically involves the use of appliances such as the palatal expander, which applies gentle pressure to the upper teeth and palate to gradually widen the jaw. Although having tongue tie release is helpful in children as we are utilising the growth, in adults, the maxillary expansion requires mechanical effort to enlarge the palate.
Benefits of Adult Maxillary Expansion
Improved Nasal Breathing: Widening the upper jaw increases the space in the nasal cavity, enhancing airflow and promoting better nasal breathing.
Enhanced Posture: Correcting jaw alignment helps in maintaining proper head and neck posture, reducing strain and improving overall body alignment.
Alleviation of TMJ Disorders: By addressing underlying jaw discrepancies, maxillary expansion can relieve symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, such as jaw pain, headaches, and earaches.
Better Dental Alignment: Creating more space in the upper jaw can prevent dental crowding and improve the alignment of teeth, contributing to better oral health.
Holistic Health Improvements: Enhanced breathing and proper jaw alignment can positively impact sleep quality, reduce sleep apnea symptoms, and improve overall well-being.
Supporting Journal Articles
Nasal Breathing and Airway Improvement: A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that adult maxillary expansion significantly improved nasal airway volume and reduced sleep apnea symptoms, highlighting its benefits for respiratory health .
Postural and Musculoskeletal Benefits: Research in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics demonstrated that maxillary expansion can positively affect craniofacial structures, leading to improved posture and reduced musculoskeletal pain .
TMJ Disorder Relief: A study in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation reported that maxillary expansion can alleviate TMJ disorder symptoms by improving occlusion and reducing stress on the temporomandibular joint .
Dental Alignment and Oral Health: An article in the Angle Orthodontist showed that adult maxillary expansion effectively corrected dental crowding and improved the alignment of teeth, contributing to better oral health .
Holistic Health Impacts: A comprehensive review in the Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache emphasized the holistic benefits of maxillary expansion, noting improvements in breathing, sleep quality, and overall quality of life .
Techniques for Adult Maxillary Expansion
Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE): This technique combines orthodontic expansion with surgical assistance to overcome the resistance of mature bone structures in adults. SARPE is effective for significant expansions.
Minimally Invasive Appliances: Newer orthodontic appliances, such as mini-screw-assisted rapid palatal expanders (MARPE), offer a less invasive alternative to SARPE. These appliances use mini-implants to provide additional anchorage, allowing for effective expansion in adults.
Collaborative Care: Integrating Holistic Dentistry and Osteopathy
Combining maxillary expansion with holistic dentistry and osteopathic care can further enhance the benefits:
Holistic Dentistry: This approach focuses on the interconnectedness of oral health and overall well-being, ensuring that treatments support systemic health.
Osteopathic Manipulation: Osteopaths can address musculoskeletal compensations resulting from jaw misalignment, using manual techniques to improve posture and alleviate pain.
Conclusion
Adult maxillary expansion is a powerful intervention that extends beyond correcting dental issues. By improving nasal breathing, enhancing posture, and relieving TMJ disorders, it offers comprehensive health benefits. Supported by robust research, this treatment can be a cornerstone of holistic health care, particularly when combined with holistic dentistry and osteopathic care.
For adults experiencing symptoms related to jaw misalignment or seeking to improve their overall health, consulting with a multidisciplinary team that includes orthodontists, holistic dentists, and osteopaths can provide a path to better health and well-being.
References:
Cistulli, P. A., Palmisano, R. G., & Poole, M. D. (1998). Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by rapid maxillary expansion. Sleep, 21(8), 831-835.
Proffit, W. R., & Bailey, L. J. (1997). Posteroanterior cephalometric changes in adults treated with palatal expansion. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 112(1), 75-84.
Cordasco, G., et al. (2012). Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion for the correction of maxillary transverse discrepancy. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 40(8), 783-789.
Carlson, D. S., & Nakajima, T. (1997). Effects of surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion on the temporomandibular joints and masticatory muscles. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 24(4), 285-290.
Compadretti, G. C., Tasca, I., & Bonetti, G. A. (2006). Nasal airway measurements in children treated by rapid maxillary expansion. American Journal of Rhinology, 20(4), 385-393.