RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Study the Effect of Upper Expansion Appliances on Lower Jaw Forward Projection/Growth

This study is investigating whether a specific type of brace for the upper jaw, called a Wilson quadhelex appliance, can help the lower jaw grow forward in young children. Some children naturally have a lower jaw that sits a bit further back. Previous research has hinted that expanding the upper jaw might encourage the lower jaw to move forward over time. We're inviting 60 children aged 9-11 to take part. Half will receive an active upper jaw brace, and the other half a non-active version. Before and after nine months of using the brace, special X-rays will be taken to measure any changes. After the study, children will continue with any regular orthodontic treatment they need. The aim is to understand more about how these braces might help improve jaw alignment.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Alberta

Enrolment target

Start

01 Apr 2019

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2027

Overbite (Excessive) Horizontal

What is this study about?

This study is designed to look at whether a special kind of brace for the upper jaw can help young children whose lower jaw is positioned slightly further back than usual. Sometimes, this can lead to what's known as an 'overbite' where the upper teeth stick out quite a bit over the lower teeth. The brace we're using is called a Wilson quadhelex appliance, and it works by gently widening the upper jaw.

We're interested in this because some earlier studies have suggested that widening the upper jaw might encourage the lower jaw to grow forward more. If this is true, it could be a helpful way to treat overbites in children as they grow, potentially making future orthodontic treatment simpler or shorter. We want to gather more clear information to understand this better.

We will be working with 60 children between the ages of 9 and 11 years old. Each child will receive one of two types of these upper jaw braces – one that actively works to gently expand the jaw, or another that looks the same but isn't actively expanding. By comparing these two groups, we can get a clearer picture of whether the active expansion really makes a difference to lower jaw growth. Everyone will have special X-ray scans at the beginning and after nine months of treatment to measure any changes.

Key takeaways

This study looks at how a certain upper jaw brace affects lower jaw growth in children.
It's for children aged 9 to 11 with an overbite (upper teeth stick out).
Participation involves wearing a special brace for 9 months and having two specific X-rays.
The goal is to see if widening the upper jaw can help the lower jaw grow forward.
After the study, regular orthodontic treatment will continue as normal.
You can withdraw your child from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for children aged 9 to 11 years old. We are specifically looking for children whose lower jaw is positioned a bit further back, leading to their upper front teeth sitting quite far in front of their lower front teeth. Their adult first molars (back teeth) and all their adult front teeth (incisors) should have grown through already.

Children will not be able to join the study if they are already having other orthodontic treatment like braces. Also, if a child has certain growth problems or conditions that affect their face and skull development, they won't be able to take part in this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child between 9 and 11 years old?
Does your child have an overbite where their lower jaw is set back?
Are all their adult first back teeth and front teeth (incisors) grown through?
Is your child currently NOT having other orthodontic treatment like braces?
Does your child NOT have any known growth problems or syndromes affecting their face?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child takes part, they will be given a special brace for their upper jaw. This brace will be worn for nine months. Before the brace is fitted and again after the nine months of treatment, your child will have a special type of X-ray called a Cone Beam CT scan. This scan gives a detailed 3D picture of their jaws and teeth, allowing us to measure any changes. After the nine months, your child will continue with any regular orthodontic treatment they need, as decided by their dentist or orthodontist. The total participation for this study period is nine months.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer your child a potential benefit by encouraging their lower jaw to grow forward, which could improve their bite. However, there's no guarantee this will happen for every child. The main potential risk involves the X-rays, which expose your child to a small amount of radiation, similar to other dental X-rays, but we only do these when necessary for the study. Like any brace, there might be some initial discomfort or difficulty with speaking and eating, which usually settles. You are free to withdraw your child from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting their ongoing medical care.

Locations (1)

University of Alberta
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an overbite?

An overbite is when your upper front teeth stick out significantly over your lower front teeth.

What is a Wilson quadhelex appliance?

It's a special brace fitted to the upper teeth designed to gently widen the upper jaw.

Will my child still need braces afterwards?

Yes, after this study, your child will continue with their usual orthodontic treatment if needed, as this study is just looking at the initial jaw growth.

Are the X-rays safe?

The X-rays used are a standard dental scan that provides detailed images, and the amount of radiation is carefully managed.

What if we change our mind?

You are free to withdraw your child from the study at any point, and it won't affect their future dental or medical care.

How to find out more

Dr. Tarek El-Bialy, PhD

telbialy@ualberta.ca 780-492-2751 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.