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Comparison of Laboratory-Fabricated and 3D-Printed Rapid Maxillary Expansion Appliances
Sponsor: Baskent University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether two types of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliances produce different outcomes in children. RME is a treatment utilized to expand a narrow upper jaw. This study will include children aged 8 to 10 years who need upper jaw expansion during the mixed dentition period (when they have both temporary and permanent teeth). The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Do 3D-printed expansion appliances produce different skeletal and dental changes compared to conventionally fabricated appliances? * Do children feel more comfortable with one type of appliance? * Is there a difference in pain levels or oral hygiene between the two groups? Researchers aimed to compare a conventionally fabricated expansion appliance manufactured in a dental laboratory with a 3D-printed expansion appliance produced digitally to determine whether the method of production affects treatment outcomes and patient comfort. Participants: * Being treated with one of the two expansion appliances (assigned randomly) * Follow a standard activation protocol at home with parental guidance * Attend regular clinic visits during expansion and retention phases * Have dental photographs, X-rays, and digital scans taken before and after treatment * Complete an oral health-related quality of life questionnaire * Rate their pain using a pain scale * Have their oral hygiene measured
Official title: Comparison of the Skeletal and Dentoalveolar Effects and Patient Comfort of Conventional and 3D-Printed Maxillary Expansion Appliances in Mixed Dentition Patients
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
7 Years - 11 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
48
Start Date
2025-08-07
Completion Date
2026-12
Last Updated
2026-09-04
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Laboratory-fabricated rapid maxillary expansion appliance
A rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliance fabricated on a dental cast obtained from conventional impressions. The expansion screw arms are adapted and soldered to orthodontic molar bands on the cast.
3D-printed rapid maxillary expansion appliance
A rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliance fabricated using digital intraoral scan data. Dental models are generated from intraoral scans, and the appliance framework is manufactured as a single-piece structure using three-dimensional (3D) metal printing with sintered cobalt-chromium alloy.
Locations (1)
Baskent University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)