Palatal Expanders – Allen, TX
Guiding Your Child’s Jaw Development
Most people know about regular oral appliances such as retainers when it comes to orthodontic treatment. However, for younger patients who require adjustments for their growing upper jaw, our team at Hanson Orthodontics of Allen can provide palatal expanders to do the job. Sometimes as part of phase 1 orthodontic care, these appliances are designed to help guide a child’s upper jaw toward proper development, allowing emerging teeth to come out in their ideal positions and angles. Read on to learn more about this oral appliance or give our team a call to schedule an appointment for your little one.
Why Choose Hanson Orthodontics of Allen for Palatal Expanders?
- Comfortable & Secure Appliances
- Personalized for Every Patient
- Professional & Experienced Orthodontic Team
What is a Palatal Expander?
Palatal expanders are personalized orthodontic appliances that are meant to apply careful and strategic pressure to a child’s hard palate (the upper jaw, or the roof of their mouth) so that they can gradually widen as they mature. Over time, this treatment should help to develop sufficient room for the patient’s growing teeth to emerge correctly in their ideal positions.
For the most part, palatal expanders are typically reserved for those who are between the ages of 5 and 16. They might also be recommended for patients who are experiencing one or more orthodontic problems, including:
- Overcrowding
- Crossbite
- Impacted teeth
- Trouble breathing through the nose caused by a narrow upper airway
How Does a Palatal Expander Work?
The palatal expander is first designed to attach to a patient’s molars (rear teeth) by using small metal rings. While some of these oral appliances are removable, others are not. This will be discussed with your child’s orthodontist during the initial consultation. Whether it’s removable or not, the palatal expander should have an expansion screw that is meant to widen the device gradually, that way the upper jaw can expand over time.
In many cases, patients wear a palatal expander for about 6 to 12 months. Afterward, their mouths should generally have adequate space to accommodate the incoming adult teeth in the upper jaw.
Caring for Your Palatal Expander
Since these oral appliances will be in the mouth for a long time, it’s important to keep them clean throughout the treatment process. To keep them fresh and healthy, have your child use toothpaste and brush them gently several times a day. You might even have them use a water flosser to help prevent plaque buildup from the places that they can’t reach with their toothbrush. If the palatal expander is removable, simply have them take it out to scrub and rinse them. Be sure to also take your child for their appointments so that our team can help maintain their oral appliance.