Expanders create more space in the mouth by widening the upper jaw over time. When a child’s palate is extremely narrow, expansion also correctly aligns the upper teeth and jaw. A wider jaw also allows for more effective and quicker orthodontic treatment, such as clear aligners or braces.
How do I care for my child’s teeth after upper jaw expansion?
· Palate (palatal) expanders are orthodontic appliances that create more space in a child's mouth by widening the palate (roof of the mouth) over time. The goal of palatal expansion is to widen narrow palates in children and correctly align the upper teeth and jaw. This treatment can only be completed before the jaw fully develops.
What is early orthodontic treatment?
This problem is best addressed while the upper jaw is still growing, which is only until age 10. Another similar problem is a narrow upper jaw where the back top teeth are inside of the bottom teeth (crossbite). Like the underbite, a crossbite is easiest to correct while the upper jaw is …
What are the benefits of jaw expansion for children?
· Throughout this video, Dr Andrew Chang answers some of the more frequently asked questions regarding a narrow upper jaw. It addresses the importance and bene...
Is surgery necessary to expand the upper jaw?
Call us at (678)352-0919. Dr. J. Michael Dierkes, DDS, MS, NMD is a nationally recognized orthodontic specialist who has been creating beautiful smiles for over 30 years. His services have improved the lives of people from Roswell and the surrounding areas, including residents of Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Marietta, and Atlanta.
How do you fix a narrow upper jaw?
To fix a narrow upper jaw, sometimes, an expander is placed. An expander is device which slowly and gently widens the upper jaw to its correct dimensions. This may create space, correct crossbites, and set the jaws up for the best chance of normal development long term.
Can braces fix a narrow jaw?
Improves the Alignment of the Jaw Braces can correct misalignment of both the teeth and jaw, bringing the jaw back into a more favorable position. Not only is this beneficial to the look of your face, but it can also help in improving problems related to overbites and underbites.
At what age should a child get a palate expander?
At what age should my child get palate expander braces? A child should get a palate expander at the age of 7-8 years. At this age, their jawbones are in the formation stage.
How can I widen my kids jaws?
Orthodontic expanders do pretty much what the name suggests. They expand, or widen, your child's jaw or palate, making room for all their adult teeth to grow in normally. If your child needs them, getting started with the devices early can bring significant benefits down the road.
How can I widen my upper jaw?
0:502:06Widening the Upper Jaw | Palatal Expanders - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPressure you will need to adjust the expander by inserting the key in the appliance. And moving theMorePressure you will need to adjust the expander by inserting the key in the appliance. And moving the key towards the back of your mouth. This is one turn of the key. Make this adjustment.
How much does a palate expander cost?
Cost. Traditionally the price range of a palate expander treatment plan falls around $2,000 – $3,000 minimum. Nevertheless, the total cost varies according to where you live, who your orthodontist is, and whether or not you're covered by insurance.
What age is too late for palate expander?
This is usually around age 11-13. However, for many kids, starting treatment at this age is too late. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that parents bring in the kids for an orthodontic evaluation at age 7.
Is there an alternative to a palate expander?
A more effective, simpler, and less costly alternative than a palatal expander is to use an appliance called a space maintainer. Interestingly, baby molars are larger in size than the permanent premolars that replace them. A space maintainers holds the extra space that is left when the baby teeth fall out.
How painful is a palate expander?
Do Palatal Expanders Hurt? For the first few days after receiving the palatal expander, your child may experience some discomfort and difficulty speaking and eating. However, the expander should not cause pain.