Comparing a New Clear Orthodontic Expander With the Traditional Hyrax Expander for Treating Narrow Maxilla in Adolescents

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new clear orthodontic expander made from a 2-mm biocompatible polyethylene terephthalate glycol PETG material with an expansion screw to see how well it achieves dental and skeletal expansion in adolescents. This is compared to a conventional Hyrax expander in a randomized clinical trial involving patients aged 10 to 14 years with malocclusion and narrow maxilla. The study will be conducted at multiple dental centers including the University of Baghdad and affiliated clinics. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one using the new clear expander and the other using the Hyrax expander. The clear expander is custom-made using a 3D-printed maxillary dental cast, incorporating a standard or universal expansion screw. Both expanders will be activated twice daily with 0.2 mm turns until the desired maxillary arch expansion is reached. Patients using the clear expander will wear it 24 hours daily except during eating and cleaning. During the study, participants will undergo CBCT scans and intraoral scans before and immediately after treatment, approximately one to two months apart. Clinical and cephalometric evaluations will also be performed, along with microbial assessments after one month. Patients will complete questionnaires about their treatment experience and satisfaction. Data will be analyzed statistically to compare the effectiveness and clinical performance of the two devices.

Clear Orthodontic Expander Versus Hyrax