Oral Health and Dental Management

Mandibular Dentoalveolar Expansion in Early Mixed Dentition Using the Clara Expander: A Case Series

18^th World Congress on Dental Health

September 22-23, 2025 | London, UK

Esther García-Miralles, Laura Marqués-Martínez, Clara Guinot-Barona, Víctor Marco-Cambra, Juan Ignacio Aura-Tormos

University of Valencia, Spain

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: OHDM

Abstract:

Background: Mandibular transverse deficiency in growing patients is a common clinical problem as sociated with crowding, malocclusion, and impaired interarch coordination. While maxillary expansion is widely established, mandibular dentoalveolar expan sion remains controversial due to anatomical limita t ions and concerns about long-term stability. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effecti veness of the Clara Expander, a novel orthodontic appliance, in producing mandibular dentoalveolar expansion during the early mixed dentition stage. Methods: A prospective case series was conducted including seven healthy children aged 6â??10 years presenting reduced mandibular transverse dimen sion. All patients were treated with the Clara Expan der appliance. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken before and after treatment to assess skeletal and dental changes at multiple reference points, including the Wala Ridge. Patients were followed for two years to evaluate short- and mid-term stability. Results: Statistically significant increases were ob served in intermolar, intercanine, and dentoalveolar widths after treatment. Expansion was evident at both dental landmarks and the Wala Ridge, sugges t ing contributions from dental and alveolar compo nents. The Clara Expander was well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects and high patient compliance. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this explora tory case series, the Clara Expander demonstrated promising potential for mandibular dentoalveolar expansion in growing patients. Even modest trans verse gains provided clinically meaningful space for alignment and arch coordination. Further controlled trials with larger samples are warranted to confirm these findings.

Biography :

Esther García-Miralles is a dedicated researcher and academic at Mohammed V University, Morocco. Her work focuses on advanced dental materials, digital dentistry, and implant prosthodontics. She has contributed to innova t ive studies exploring the impact of digital manufacturing on clinical outcomes. Her recent research examines how abutment design influences the performance of full-arch implant prostheses. Through her in-vitro investigations, she aims to enhance reliability and precision in implant-supported restorations.