ProviderWhat is Palatal Expansion?
During palatal expansion treatment, an orthodontic device is used to widen a narrow upper jaw in a child's mouth. This allows their teeth to erupt in the positions they are supposed to be in.
A child's upper jaw consists of two sides connected by a soft spot between them. This soft spot runs right down the middle of the upper jaw and is supposed to widen as the mouth grows and develops. If this is not happening naturally, palatal expansion can help.
By going through this process when a child is young and their mouth is still developing, you can avoid or minimize future orthodontic issues like misalignment of the teeth and jaws. In turn, this can shorten treatment duration with braces or clear aligners in later years.
In some cases, it can also help the child eat, breathe, and speak more easily.
The Importance of Early Orthodontics for Kids
Children with developing orthodontic issues can often benefit from early orthodontic intervention to prevent or reduce the need for more extensive treatment later in life. Palatal expansion, braces, or clear aligners may be part of your child's early orthodontic treatment at Clayton Orthodontics.
How Palatal Expanders Work
Palatal bones continue to grow until children reach puberty, making the years between five and 11 the ideal time to detect and treat a narrow palate.
Palatal expanders are custom-made, metal appliances designed to gradually widen the bones that form the palate, creating more space in your child's mouth as the jaw develops and adult teeth emerge.
Palatal expanders are usually fixed in place until treatment is complete. During treatment, parents simply turn the expander at prescribed intervals with a small key to gently expand the palate by a ¼ mm with each turn. This increases the width of the upper jaw to accommodate growth.