Purpose: To assess the effect of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on the oropharynx in individuals (age range from 9 to 14) with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP).
Methods: Forty CBCT scans of 20 twenty complete BCLP individuals who had undergone rapid maxillary expansion maxillary before alveolar cleft grafting. Sample was divided into 2 groups according to the type of expander used. Scans were examined before expansion, and 3 months after expansion. Oropharyngeal 3D`volume was measured at both times for each study group.
Results: All post scans showed statistically significant increase in volume when compared to the pre scans using ANOVA variance test. However, no difference was detected between both groups.
Conclusion: RME increases the volume of the oropharyngeal airway regardless of the type of fixed expander.