Three-Dimensional Facial Soft Tissue Changes and Clinical Perception Following MARPE

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE): MARPE is performed as part of routine orthodontic treatment based on an independent clinical indication. The study does not assign or modify the treatment. Three-dimensional facial scans are obtained before expansion (T0), immediately after active expansion (T1), and at the third month of retention (T2) to evaluate facial soft tissue changes.

Study summary

This prospective, controlled observational study aims to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) facial soft tissue changes following miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) and determine whether these changes are clinically perceptible to orthodontic specialists and patients.

A total of 55 postpubertal participants aged 16-25 years will be included: 40 patients undergoing MARPE as part of their routine orthodontic treatment and 15 control participants who will not undergo maxillary expansion. Treatment decisions will be made independently of study participation.

Facial soft tissue changes will be assessed using 3D facial scans. The MARPE group will be scanned before expansion (T0), immediately after active expansion (T1), and three months after expansion (T2). The control group will undergo two facial scans at comparable baseline and follow-up intervals.

Changes in facial regions, including the nose, paranasal area, midface, and upper lip, will be evaluated. Blinded orthodontic specialists will assess the clinical perceptibility of changes using standardized facial images, while participants will provide their own perception of facial changes through questionnaires. When available from routine clinical records, skeletal and dental expansion measurements will also be analyzed in relation to the observed soft tissue changes.

The study aims to clarify the magnitude, distribution, and clinical relevance of facial soft tissue changes associated with MARPE.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Three-Dimensional Facial Soft Tissue Changes Following MARPE — Baseline (T0), immediately after active expansion (T1), and 3 months after active expansion (T2). Control participants will be assessed at two corresponding time points.
  Three-dimensional facial soft tissue changes will be evaluated using MetiSmile facial scans. Regional changes in the nasal, paranasal, midfacial, zygomatic, and upper lip areas will be quantified in millimeters (mm) by comparing baseline and follow-up scans. Changes from T0 to T2 will be compared between the MARPE and control groups. Additional changes between T0-T1 and T1-T2 will be assessed in the MARPE group.

Trial sites (1)

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