Maxillary expansion to treat crowding in children's teeth

Interceptive Maxillary Expansion to Relief Anterior Crowding in the Mixed Dentition: a Longitudinal, Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Region Örebro County · NCT06187337

This study is testing if using a special device to widen the upper jaw early can help kids aged six to nine with crowded teeth feel better and have healthier smiles compared to waiting until they're older for treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 16 Years
SexAll
SponsorRegion Örebro County (other)
Locations4 sites (Coppito and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06187337 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of early maxillary expansion versus treatment in the permanent dentition for children aged six to nine with severe anterior crowding of the upper teeth. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a maxillary expansion appliance or a control group. The study will evaluate the degree of crowding, oral health-related quality of life, and the cost-effectiveness of early treatment over a five-year follow-up period. Advanced imaging techniques will be utilized to assess dental arch development and crowding metrics.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy children aged six to nine with at least six millimeters of crowding in their upper front teeth.

Not a fit: Patients with skeletal asymmetries, previous orthodontic treatment, or severe crowding in the lower arch may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved dental health and quality of life for children with anterior crowding.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies on early orthodontic interventions have shown promising results, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy subjects without sucking habits
* Permanent maxillary central incisors and first permanent molars fully erupted. DS1M1.
* No severe crowding or protrusion in the lower arch considering the Leeway space and normal development of the arch.
* Permanent first molar in normal transversal relation.
* Crowding of the maxillary incisors with the lateral incisor just erupting ectopically or not yet emerged through the gingiva.
* Crowding greater than or equal to 6 millimeters between the upper deciduous canines.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Skeletal asymmetries, anomalies and syndromes.
* Previous orthodontic treatment

Where this trial is running

Coppito and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Crowding of Anterior Maxillary Teeth, Orthodontics, Interceptive, Orthodontics, Corrective, Palatal Expansion Technique

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.