Effects of BREA and MFT Expansion Appliances on Upper Airway Dimensions (NCT07456917) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effects of BREA and MFT Expansion Appliances on Upper Airway Dimensions
Poland79 participantsStarted 2020-02-01
Plain-language summary
This retrospective study evaluated whether orthodontic expansion using two types of appliances, a bimaxillary removable expansion appliance (BREA) and a maxillary fixed three screw palatal expander (MFT), influences upper airway dimensions, hyoid bone position, and palatal morphology in growing children. Seventy nine children aged 4 to 12 years were included. Fifty five patients received orthodontic expansion (BREA or MFT), and twenty four untreated patients served as controls. Lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs and digital dental models obtained before and after the observation period were analyzed. Measurements assessed nasal and hypopharyngeal airway dimensions, the position of the hyoid bone, and transverse and volumetric characteristics of the palate. Compared with untreated children, those who underwent expansion showed significant increases in selected airway dimensions, widening of the upper piriform aperture, and increased distance between the hyoid bone and the mandibular symphysis. Both appliances increased maxillary transverse widths, with greater maxillary expansion observed in the MFT group. Palatal volume increased significantly with BREA, whereas palatal surface area increased and palatal depth decreased significantly with MFT. These findings suggest that orthodontic expansion in growing children may favorably modify selected upper airway and palatal parameters. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the long term functional and clinical significance of these changes.
Who can participate
Age range
4 Years – 12 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Children aged 4 to 12 years at baseline. Patients in primary or mixed dentition stage.
Availability of complete orthodontic diagnostic records at two time points, including:
lateral cephalometric radiograph posteroanterior cephalometric radiograph dental models suitable for digital analysis For treated groups: orthodontic expansion performed with either BREA or MFT according to routine clinical indications.
For control group: patients who underwent full orthodontic diagnostics but did not initiate orthodontic treatment during the observation period.
Good general health without systemic conditions known to significantly affect craniofacial growth.
Exclusion Criteria:
Presence of cleft lip and/or palate. Previous orthodontic treatment prior to baseline records. Presence of generalized spacing or diastema that could affect transverse measurements.
Incomplete or missing radiographic records. Poor quality radiographs preventing reliable cephalometric analysis. Poor quality dental models, including artifacts on the palatal surface or indistinct gingival margins.
Craniofacial syndromes or conditions known to significantly alter craniofacial development.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in upper airway and hyoid positional measurements on cephalometry
Timeframe: Baseline and post-treatment observation period (mean approximately 6 to 12 months, depending on individual treatment duration)