What is Palatal Expansion?
Palatal expansion treatment uses an orthodontic device to widen a child's narrow upper jaw, allowing their permanent teeth to develop in the correct positions in the mouth.
In children, the upper jaw consists of two sides that are connected by a soft spot in the middle. This soft spot runs right down the middle of the upper jaw, and is supposed to widen as the mouth grows and develops. If this doesn't happen naturally as it should, palatal expansion can help widen it.
Embarking on this process while they're mouth is still developing is much easier than treating the issue when they are older and their mouth is set. By getting your child palatal expansion treatment, you may help to circumvent or minimize the development of jaw and teeth misalignments in the future. This can also shorten treatment duration with braces or clear aligners in later years.
In some cases, it can also help the child eat, breathe, and speak more easily.
The Importance of Early Orthodontics for Kids
Children with developing orthodontic issues can benefit from early intervention to prevent more extensive treatment when they are older. Palatal expansion or braces may be part of your child's early orthodontic treatment at Woodstock Orthodontics.
How Palatal Expanders Work
When your child is between the ages of five and 11, this is the ideal time to treat a narrow palate, as their palatal bones will continue to grow until they hit puberty.
Palatal expanders are custom-made, metal appliances designed to gradually push the bones that make up a child's palate farther apart, creating more space in the mouth as the jaw develops and adult teeth emerge.
The expander works with the help of the child's parent. The parent will turn the expander themselves at prescribed intervals with a small key that gently expands the palate by a ¼ mm with each turn. This helps to increase the width of the upper jaw to accommodate growth and make room for the adult teeth.