NCT05743127

Brief Summary

Maxillary expanders are orthodontic appliances that are commonly used to expand the upper jaw. The purpose of this study will be to compare the effects produced by two different maxillary expanders in children 8-13 years old. The first type of expander is made by hand in an orthodontic laboratory, and the second type of expander is designed on a computer and printed using 3D printers. Both expanders are already used in the MUSC Orthodontics Clinic. The purpose of this study is to see if the 3D printed expander is as effective as the traditional expander made by hand in the laboratory, with more comfort to the patient. Patients participating in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A will be treated with a laboratory-made maxillary expander, and group B with a 3D-Printed maxillary expander. Information will be collected on the participants' standard clinical follow-up visits including photos, x-rays, and dental photo scans over the course of 6 months to see how the expander is working. In addition, as part of the research study, the participant will be asked to complete online questionnaires with assistance from parents or guardians about his/her quality of life and perception of possible pain and discomfort at different time points. The potential benefits of this study include the use of 3D technology to improve the quality of the orthodontic treatment, with more comfort to the patient.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
42

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
12mo left

Started Feb 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress77%
Feb 2023May 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 10, 2023

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 15, 2023

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 24, 2023

Completed
3.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2026

Expected
4 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2027

Last Updated

March 20, 2026

Status Verified

March 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

3.9 years

First QC Date

January 10, 2023

Last Update Submit

March 18, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Dimension of the Anterior Midpalatal Suture Opening

    The dimension of the anterior midpalatal suture opening between the maxillary halves will be measured digitally in millimeters on the occlusal radiograph using a calibrated ruler.

    2 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

  • Change in Interincisal Diastema Width

    2 weeks

  • Change in Maxillary Molar Inclination

    2 weeks

  • Change in Maxillary Arch Widths

    2 weeks

  • Pain Perception assessed by Visual Analog Scale

    2 weeks

  • Pain Perception assessed by Wong-Baker FACES Scale

    2 weeks

  • +1 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Group Conventional Expander

EXPERIMENTAL

Conventional Laboratory Fabricated Hyrax Expander

Device: Conventional Laboratory Fabricated Hyrax Expander

Group 3-D Printed Expander

EXPERIMENTAL

3D-Printed Hyrax Expander

Device: 3D-Printed Hyrax Expander

Interventions

This is a type of maxillary expander that is designed on a computer and printed in metal using 3D printers and is used to expand the upper jaw.

Group 3-D Printed Expander

This is a type of maxillary expander that is made by hand in an orthodontic laboratory and is used to expand the upper jaw.

Group Conventional Expander

Eligibility Criteria

Age8 Years - 13 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Maxillary anterior and/or posterior transverse deficiency with or without crossbite
  • Age of 8-13 years
  • Children whose parents/guardians are willing to consent to the child participating in the study
  • Children ages 12-13 who are willing to assent to participating in the study
  • Children who are orthodontic patients at the Medical University of South Carolina Department of Orthodontics or University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
  • Subjects and parents/guardians who have access to an electronic device with internet connection

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with previous or ongoing orthodontic treatment
  • Patients whose parents have a strong preference as to which expander is used
  • Patients with a history of temporomandibular disorders
  • Presence of congenitally missing teeth
  • Traumatic loss of maxillary incisors
  • Patients with craniofacial syndromes, or cleft lip and/or palate

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

University of Pittsburgh - School of Dental Medicine

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

RECRUITING

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

RECRUITING

Study Officials

  • Ildeu Andrade, DDS, MS, PhD

    University of Pittsburgh

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ildeu Andrade, DDS, MS, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 10, 2023

First Posted

February 24, 2023

Study Start

February 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2027

Last Updated

March 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations