Question:
Why should I choose early orthodontic treatment for my child with a palate expander?
As Palatal expanders are often placed while a child is still growing. They are used to widen the upper jaw so that the upper teeth fit properly together out and over the lower teeth. Underdeveloped growth or narrowing of the upper jaw is one of the major causes of
crowding. If the upper jaw is too narrow, there is not enough room for all the permanent teeth to erupt, which results in crowding, crossbites, underbites, or an edge-to-edge bite. Palatal expanders will not prevent the need for braces when all the permanent teeth erupt, but often times will eliminate the need for extraction of permanent teeth to create space or invasive jaw surgery to correct the growth discrepancy after the jaws fully develop. As the palate begins to expand, it creates more room in the mouth for all of the teeth and the remaining teeth can begin to shift into position and will be far closer to their final position. A palate expander will reduce treatment time too. Different factors can lead to narrow upper jaw growth such as thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting or mouth breathing due to enlarged tonsils. Although these problems may look harmless, they may have serious long-term consequences on aesthetics and both dental and physical health. Palatal expanders often
times will eliminate the need for extraction of permanent teeth to create space or invasive jaw surgery to correct the growth discrepancy after the jaws fully develop and often makes the difference between a good orthodontic result and a great orthodontist result. Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule a complimentary first examination to determine if your child would benefit from this type of treatment.