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Rapid Palatal Expander
Upper jaw expansion is a form of orthodontic treatment that is used in specific cases. An expander is used to widen the upper jaw and decrease the amount of time you wear your braces. It can also create more space for your teeth to grow.
Why is a Palatal Expander Important?
The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. The animation below will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression
When is a Palatal Expander Needed?
This treatment is used when the upper jaw is too narrow to fit comfortably against the lower jaw; this results in a misaligned bite. Bite misalignments can cause several problems, especially for young children, including:
- Airway constriction
- Uneven wear on teeth
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Difficulty pronouncing words and speaking clearly
- Crowded teeth are more difficult to clean and may develop cavities
How Does a Rapid Palatal Expander Work?
A rapid palatal expander is a small, delicate metal framework that fits into the top of the patient’s mouth. The two arms of the expander are attached to the inside of teeth with dental cement. This cement keeps the expander in place while it does its work. A small screw located in the center of the expander is gradually tightened over the course of treatment. It is turned with the help of a special key. A gentle pressure on the left and right sides of the upper jaw allows the palate tissues to move into the correct position. The connective tissue in the mouths of young patients is quite responsive to this treatment; bone growth will increase where the two halves meet and fix the new width in place. Once the palate has expanded to the correct position, the expander is held to stabilize, then removed about six weeks after turns have completed. Various types of follow up treatment might be required once the expander has been removed and our team at Stormberg Orthodontics will work with you and your child to help you understand any next steps.
How To Turn The Palatal Expander
To turn you or your child’s palatal expander, insert the key into the hole of the screw mechanism on the expander and push towards the back of the mouth. Once you see the next hole appear, you’ll know the turn is complete. Click here for more detailed instructions.
Your First Visit: What To Expect
STEP 1
Every smile starts with an initial consultation!
We understand that choosing to receive orthodontic care is a big decision and your first visit to our office is the first step. At your initial consultation, we take complimentary xrays and images of your teeth that lets us see what’s going on and perform a thorough examination of your teeth, mouth, and gums. This information helps us design your customized treatment plan.
STEP 2
Braces or aligners just for you.
When you think about braces, you might think about the old-fashioned ones you saw as a kid that made patients look like they had a mouth full of metal. Thanks to some of the newest designs and options, you no longer need to worry about how people look at you or how they perceive you. At Braces520, we want to help you get the smile that you love with treatment as convenient as possible.
STEP 3
Your new smile.
At Braces520, we make you our top priority! We create beautiful, confident smiles for all ages by offering advanced orthodontic care that’s designed to deliver the ideal treatment experience and results to ensure you achieve your best smile!
FAQs from Dr. Rosen
Will my teeth straighten as they grow?
Unfortunately, no. Orthodontic issues, such as spacing and malocclusions, tend to worsen with age. It’s important to be examined as early as possible, to ensure these problems are corrected sooner rather than later.
At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great time to see an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens.
About one in every five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Whether you’re considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any age is a good time to visit our office.
Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
We do our best to schedule you for the most convenient times based on your busy schedule, but cannot make any guarantees. However, most appointments are scheduled 4-10 weeks apart, so you or your child will miss minimal work/school time.
Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
We completely understand your busy schedule and are happy to accommodate. Once you pick up your child, we will review what was accomplished at the conclusion of each appointment and what is expected to be accomplished at the next appointment. We strongly recommend making the follow up appointments prior to leaving our office.
Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
If an orthodontic issue is severe enough, then early intervention can occur while the child still has baby teeth. If your child isn’t ready yet, we’ll simply monitor their growth and development, and begin treatment when they’re ready.
What are you waiting for?
Feel Confident in Your New Smile!
Today is the perfect day to start your journey to a beautifully healthy and radiant smile! We’d love to walk you through what we offer to get you to that confident and beautiful smile you desire.
