Palatal expansion is commonly used in orthodontics to treat malocclusions and skeletal discrepancies in children. While the primary focus of palatal expansion devices (PEDs) is on improving dental alignment and craniofacial development, there is increasing interest in understanding their impact on surrounding structures such as the tonsils(1). This review examines the effect of PEDs on the tonsils of children, exploring changes in tonsillar size, function, and associated respiratory outcomes. A comprehensive review of studies published until 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.The review highlights existing studies and identifies gaps in research to guide future investigations. Findings suggest that palatal expansion may influence tonsillar hypertrophy, airway patency, and overall tonsillar health, with varying results across studies. The potential for PEDs to affect the respiratory function and symptoms of children with enlarged tonsils is discussed, with implications for treatment planning.

KEYWORDS: Palatal expansion, tonsils, orthodontic devices, children, tonsillar hypertrophy, respiratory function, airway.