Hala Aoun
Lebanese University School of Dentistry, Lebanon
Title: Evaluation of hearing in children treated with palatal expansion
Biography
Biography: Hala Aoun
Abstract
The aim of this presentation is to explore the potential association between rapid palatal expansion RPE and decrease in conductive hearing loss. RPE is a common orthopedic treatment for maxillary constriction and or lateral crossbite. This procedure may result in unexpected improvement of nasal breathing and improvement in nasal sensitivity. The underlying mechanism for the latter would consist of the extension of the tensor veli Palatine muscle
following the palatal distraction, which opens the Eustachian tube orifice and facilitates air passage, allowing normal function of the middle ear system. Clear cut conclusions are not yet formulated on whether the improvement in
hearing is transient or permanent. A thorough review of the literature with methodological shortcomings and design of future studies are reported.