Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 12 to 26

Evaluating changes in facial structure during maxillary expansion with a specialized appliance

Official title: Hard and Soft Tissue Changes During Maxillary Expansion Using Skeletally Anchored Appliances: a Prospective, Randomized Clinical Study.

Run by Medical University of Vienna · NCT06246656 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing how a special orthodontic appliance can change the shape of the face in young people aged 12 to 26 during treatment for teeth alignment.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages12 Years to 26 Years
SexAll
Enrollment38 (estimated)
SponsorMedical University of Vienna
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Vienna, State of Vienna)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 2, 2025
Main results expectedJanuary 1, 2026
Study endsSeptember 1, 2026
Registry record updatedSeptember 5, 2025
Trial IDNCT06246656 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 26 with a maxillary transverse deficit and lateral crossbite.

Probably not a fit

Patients who have undergone previous orthodontic treatment, have craniofacial anomalies, severe facial asymmetries, are pregnant, or have periodontal lesions may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of maxillary expansion on both hard and soft tissues in the midfacial region using a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) appliance. Participants, aged 12 to 26, will undergo orthodontic treatment that includes the placement of temporary anchorage devices and a fixed multibracket appliance. The study will utilize advanced imaging techniques such as intraoral scans, face scans, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess changes in the bony structures and soft tissues during the treatment process. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how this innovative approach impacts orthodontic outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved orthodontic treatment strategies that enhance facial aesthetics and functional outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of CAD/CAM technology in orthodontics is gaining traction, this specific approach to evaluating soft and hard tissue changes during maxillary expansion is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Maxillary transverse deficit,
* Lateral crossbite

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous orthodontic treatment,
* Craniofacial anomalies,
* Severe facial asymmetries,
* Pregnancy,
* Periodontal lesions

Where it's running

  • Medical University of Vienna, Department of Orthodontics
    Vienna, State of Vienna, Austria
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Alexander Schwärzler, DMD — Department of Orthodontics, University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna
  • Study coordinator: Sophia Panwinkler, DMD
  • Email: sophia.panwinkler@meduniwien.ac.at
  • Phone: +431400704301

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.