Effectiveness of Mini-Implant Assisted Maxillary Expansion in Teens and Adults with Narrow Maxilla Using Three Activation Methods and Its Impact on Nasal Airflow and Airway Volume

What this Trial Is About

Transverse maxillary deficiency affects about 10% of adults and often requires strong forces to expand the midpalatal suture in late adolescents and adults. Researchers are evaluating the use of mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion MARPE to treat this condition. The study aims to compare three different activation protocols for non-surgical maxillary expansion and assess their effects on nasal airflow and airway volume. The trial is a randomized controlled study with three groups. Each group receives MARPE treatment with different activation schedules a continuous rapid protocol with daily small expansions, a continuous slow protocol with higher initial expansions followed by less frequent adjustments, and a force-controlled polycyclic protocol involving back and forth screw turns plus regular activations. Four mini-screws are inserted under local anesthesia without surgery, and the device stays in place for 12 months to allow bone remodeling before removal. Fixed orthodontic treatment begins two months after expansion ends. Participants will have follow-up visits at 6 and 12 months to check retention and device status. Researchers will measure changes in midpalatal suture width, dental arch widths, nasal cavity dimensions, and airway volumes up to six months after expansion. The study also looks at success rates, complications, and how factors like age, sex, and suture maturation affect outcomes. Total participation lasts about a year including expansion and monitoring.

Efficacy of Mini-implant Assisted Maxillary Expansion in Adolescents and Adults