Palatal Expansion Benefits

Considering Palatal Expansion and its Benefits

When teeth are misaligned, such as when the top and bottom half of the teeth do not fit together, or there are gaps between the teeth, braces may sometimes be all that are needed to correct the issues.

However, if the teeth are crowded because there is not enough room for them to fit in the mouth, jaw expansion may be necessary. Expansion orthodontics is often a preferred procedure over teeth extraction and used by many orthodontists to rectify a crowded palate

What is Jaw Expansion?

Jaw expansion is an orthodontic treatment used to widen the circumference of the palate and increase the perimeter of the dental arch to create more room for the teeth to grow.

In childhood there are key benefits to using expansion orthodontics to rectify problems in the palates of children:

* Crossbite correction – In well-formed palates the upper teeth should close around the bottom teeth. However, if the upper palate is narrow, the reverse can be true.

* The asymmetrical growth of the lower jaw can create facial asymmetry if corrective procedures aren’t implemented in time.

* Improves breathing – Children with narrow upper jaws can have trouble breathing through the nose. Breathing through the mouth draws in unfiltered bacteria which can potentially lead to halitosis and dry mouth.

* Reduces or removes the potential for impacted teeth – When the upper teeth have enough room to grow they are more inclined to break through in their correct positions.

What is an Orthodontic Expander?

A palatal, or orthodontic expander is a device used by orthodontists to create more space in the mouth by widening the upper jaw. There are significant benefits to having the procedure done during childhood, as it takes advantage of a child’s natural growth and can prevent the onset of conditions such as malocclusions, or bad bites as they are otherwise known.

What Exactly Does an Expander Do to Your Teeth?

While palate expansion may sound like an intimidating procedure, it is a gradual process that is quite tolerable and easy to achieve.

The upper jaw is divided into two upper halves during childhood which fuse together after puberty. Before the two halves fuse together, it is quite an easy and gentle process to separate and stabilize them over a period of a few months.

Each expander is custom-made for every patient and is designed to fit over several of the top teeth situated towards the back of the mouth. The device is then straightforward to activate as it requires the simple turning of a screw a little amount every day using the provided special key.

The induced tension at the juncture of the palatal bones causes them to move apart gradually. When the appropriate level of expansion has been achieved the device is left in for a few more months to allow enough time for new bone to grow inside the gap and stabilize the procedure. In most patients, 3 – 6 months is all that is needed to achieve the desired result.

Most patients experience a little pressure or soreness after every screw adjustment, but palatal expansionproduces less discomfort than what is experienced when braces are tightened.

Gaps developing between the front teeth is also to be expected and talking and eating may feel different while the tongue adjusts to the device. All these conditions indicate that the device is achieving its purpose.

How do You Eat with an Expander in Your Mouth?

Only minor modifications to diet are required when adjusting to palatal expansion. Increase the number of soft foods that will still provide adequate nutrition including mashed vegetables such as potatoes, mashed bananas, and yogurt.

During meals cut up your food into smaller portions, take smaller bites than usual, and use a gentler chewing motion.

Occasionally and unavoidably, food will get stuck. To prepare for such an occasion, you may be able to use a water flosser with care and dislodge the stubborn food particles. A palatal expander may seem unnatural at first, but with time you will get used to its presence and it can be a key part of successful orthodontic treatment.