Best Age for a Palatal Expansion?

When Upper Jaw Expansion Benefits Your Child

Expansion of the upper jaw is an orthodontic treatment that is used when necessary. When the circumference of the palate is widened, the perimeter of the dental arch increases which creates additional space for the teeth to grow in.

Reasons for Treatment

Palatal or maxillary expanders maple grove have three main purposes which make the expansion of the upper jaw particularly helpful:

• Crossbite correction. In an ideal mouth, the upper teeth should close over the outside of the lower teeth. Patients who have a narrow palate can experience the upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth. This issue results in asymmetrical growth of the lower jaw and can cause facial asymmetry when it isn't corrected in a timely manner.
• Palatal expanders eliminate or reduce overcrowding in the mouth. The expander helps make space for all the upper teeth to erupt in their correct positions.
• Improve the ability to breathe. A narrow and/or deep upper jaw can make it difficult for children to breathe through their nose. This can lead to mouth-breathing, which can cause the inhalation of unfiltered bacteria, dry mouth and halitosis.

These conditions can be corrected by expanding the width of the palate. This also helps ensure the proper development of a child's teeth. In addition, the expansion can help open up nasal passages and improve the overall bite.

Ideal Age for Treatment

The upper jaw expansion is most successful when it is performed in patients under the age of 16. Crossbite expansion should be treated as soon as possible. Adults who have crossbites may only require dental expansion. When an adult's upper jaw requires expansion, orthodontists may recommend jaw surgery to treat the issue.

Rapid Palatal Expander

The method that is used to expand the upper jaw depends on how old the patient is and the reason for treatment. One solution is a fixed appliance which can include the rapid palatal expander (RPE). The RPE is attached to the upper molars using bonding or cemented bands. This device comes with a special key that when turned, widens the desired space. This additional spacing places pressure on the two halves of the upper jaw, which results in extra bone growing between them. The minor adjustments which are made on a daily basis, gradually increase the overall width of the jaw.

Surgical Assistance

Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) involve a combination of orthodontic treatment and surgery. SARPE is used in cases where the expansion required is greater than what the appliance can realistically achieve. In these scenarios, a custom appliance is created prior to surgery. The upper jaw is strategically fractured during surgery by making numerous cuts in the bone. This separates the upper jaw into movable segments. This also allows the bone to grow between them once the appliance is activated following surgery.

Removable Expanders

Removable expanders are similar to a partial denture, however they are usually made of chrome. Removable expanders are often used in cases where minimal expansion is needed, and are commonly recommended for adults. Depending on how old the patient is, an orthodontic retainer may be fitted to temporarily maintain the space until the permanent teeth have fully erupted.

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