Palatal Expansion for Adults
In recent years, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment, for a variety of reasons. In some cases, the reasons are cosmetic, and in other cases, there are clear health reasons, though in most cases, orthodontic treatment will improve aesthetics as well as oral health and even overall health. Orthodontic treatment can realign teeth that are crowded or overly spaced, and it can also help correct bite problems that may be visible as well as uncomfortable. These issues with the bite, called malocclusions, can cause headaches and jaw pain, and when the teeth aren’t spaced properly, they are also harder to clean effectively, which increases the likelihood of gum disease or tooth decay developing. So, even if your reasons for seeking orthodontic treatment as an adult are largely cosmetic, know that the benefits will often extend beyond aesthetics.
The primary difference in orthodontic treatments for children and those for adults is that childrens’ bones are still maturing, which means that it is generally easier to manipulate the bone, if needed, and to manipulate the position of the teeth in the bone. Adults who’ve reached full skeletal maturity don’t have this bone flexibility, which can affect the specifics of orthodontic treatment. In most cases, orthodontic treatment for adults tends to take longer than for children, as the bones are fully formed and the teeth therefore move more slowly. In certain cases, surgical procedures may be necessary in order to effectively correct malocclusion in adults, and these surgeries, combined with the use of orthodontic appliances, can confer tremendously beneficial results; it just might take a little more time.
The noticeable effects of a narrow palate include crowded teeth, impacted teeth, and crossbite. A narrow palate can also interfere with proper breathing if the bone obstructs or partially obstructs the nasal cavity, which could encourage mouth breathing or lead to sleep apnea. In some cases, a person’s tongue can’t properly be accommodated by a narrow palate, which can cause challenges with clear speech. Because it is more difficult to modify the maxillary bones that form the palate when patients are adults, traditional palate expanders may only be recommended in more mild cases. Other clinical needs will require surgery. Jaw-widening surgery can be an effective option for teenagers and adults with more significant clinical needs. This surgery involves making small cuts in the bone in the palate and upper jaw and then modifying the shape of the palate with a specialized palatal expander. As the bone expands, new bone tissue grows in and fuses in place. If the expanded palate results in a gap between the front teeth, as it often does, orthodontic treatment will follow palatal expansion.
In many cases, surgical techniques and orthodontic appliances are used concurrently, to help position the teeth properly as the jaw changes shape or proportion. Combined surgical and orthodontic treatment is often recommended for patients who have finished growing and have significant problems with their bite and/or aesthetic concerns. In these treatments, braces may be placed before surgery to help prepare the palate for expansion, and the surgical palate expansion occurs about halfway through orthodontic treatment, allowing the teeth to gradually migrate into the proper positions in a newly expanded jaw. Certain other surgical treatments can address varying cosmetic and medical concerns and should be discussed with your dentist. While it may not be as easy to expand an adult’s palate, it’s often a very realistic possibility, and you could be on your way to a healthier, more confident smile.