Evaluation of Maxillary Expansion Methods on Nasomaxillary Structures

Maxillary transverse deficiency is an orthodontic anomaly characterized by the upper and lower dental arches being incompatible due to insufficient width of the maxilla. This condition typically manifests with clinical symptoms such as crossbite, crowding of teeth, and impaired respiratory function. Genetic factors, early primary tooth loss, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, and abnormal swallowing are among the causes of maxillary narrowing. Treatment options vary depending on the patient's age and the degree of suture closure. In pediatric and adolescent patients, rapid (RPE) or slow (SPE) orthodontic expansion can be achieved with palatal expansion appliances. However, in adult patients, due to the less flexible bone structure of the maxilla, methods such as surgically assisted expansion (SARME) or mini-screw-assisted expansion (MARPE) are preferred. Recent studies have shown that MARPE can be effective as a non-surgical alternative in young adults and can provide direct skeletal expansion without damaging the teeth.

NCT Number	NCT07326345
Lead Sponsor	Merve Kulaksız
Conditions	Maxillary Expansion, Maxillary Transverse Deficiency
Enrollment	30 participants
Start Date	2025-09-29
Primary Completion	2026-04 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-05 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-08