Effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Voice

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the fundamental frequency (F0) and formant frequencies F1-F4. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 consecutive patients between the ages of 9.6 years and 15 years with a constricted maxilla undergoing RME were included in this study. Measurements were made before (T1) and after treatment (T2). These included maxillary arch length, depth, width, and perimeter in addition to F0, habitual pitch, and formants F1, F2, F3, and F4 for the vowels /a/, /i/, /o/, and /u/. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the mean of F1/a/ and F2/a/ before and after treatment (P value of 0.04 and 0.013, respectively). It is worth noting that F1/a/ decreased in 11 and F2/a/ decreased in 10 of the 14 subjects. CONCLUSION: The application of RME in the treatment of maxillary constriction leads to a significant lowering of the first and second formants for the vowel /a/ in most subjects. Subjects undergoing rapid maxillary application should be aware of the potential change in voice quality especially in case of professional voice users.