Maxilla; Hypoplasia

Design: Two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial in mixed dentition (6-12 years). Arms: (1) 9 mm, 900 g leaf expander; (2) 9 mm Hyrax expander. Follow-up: From appliance insertion → completion of intended expansion → 6-month retention. Primary outcome: Pain perception during the first 7 days post-insertion (daily patient-reported scale). Secondary outcomes: Skeletal and dental changes on CBCT.