Evaluation of Removable Appliances and Clear Aligners in Early Orthodontic Treatments During the Mixed Dentition Period

Inclusion Criteria: \- Children aged between 6 and 12 years who applied to the Clinics of the Departments of Pedodontics and Orthodontics at Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry were included in the study. * Patients were required to present with anterior cross-bite type malocclusion. * Participants had to be cooperative, native Turkish speakers, and have no systemic disease, syndrome, craniofacial anomaly, or known allergy. * Individuals with no apparent oro-facial anomaly, no hearing or speech impairment, and no reading or language difficulties were included. * Based on clinical and radiographic evaluations, only patients whose malocclusions were determined to be dental in origin (not skeletal) were selected. * Patients who did not require maxillary (palatal) expansion were also included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * The study excluded patients who had severe periodontal disease, a history of systemic illness, a known allergy to any of the materials used in the study, poor oral hygiene, insufficient cooperation, or who did not agree to attend regular follow-up appointments during the study period. Additionally, individuals with craniofacial anomalies or skeletal-origin malocclusions were not included. Participants with hearing impairments, non-native Turkish speakers, or those with any disease or history of surgery that could affect voice or speech quality were also excluded from the study.