Three-dimensional volume changes of the palatal vault and pharyngeal airway following facemask therapy and maxillary expansion: a prospective comparative study

Both treatment groups demonstrated distinct effects on the palatal vault and nasopharyngeal volume. The FM/SME group yielded a greater increase in the palatal vault volume (16%) compared to the FM group (11.4%); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Combining FM with SME did not yield significant additional effect on the pharyngeal airway volume compared to FM alone, suggesting limited clinical advantage.