What is Palatal Expansion?
Palatal expansion is an orthodontic treatment that uses a specialized appliance to gradually widen a narrow upper jaw. Creating this additional space can help guide adult teeth into more appropriate positions as they grow in.
In children, the upper jaw consists of two sides connected by a soft growth area (a growth suture) in between them. This soft spot runs right down the middle of the upper jaw, allowing it to widen as the mouth grows and develops. Palatal expansion can often be beneficial when the palate remains too narrow for the permanent teeth to grow in properly.
Beginning palatal expansion during active growth allows us to work with your child’s natural development to help prevent or minimize the development of jaw and teeth misalignments. In some cases, this early approach can simplify or shorten treatment with braces or clear aligners in later years.
For some children, palatal expansion may make eating, breathing, and speaking more comfortable as development continues.
The Importance of Early Orthodontics for Kids
Children with developing orthodontic issues can often benefit from early orthodontic intervention to prevent or reduce the need for more extensive treatment later in life. Palatal expansion, braces, or clear aligners may be part of your child's early orthodontic treatment at Surrideo Orthodontics.
How Palatal Expanders Work
Because the palatal bones continue to develop through childhood, the years between ages five and 11 are an ideal time to identify and treat a narrow palate.
Palatal expanders are custom-made, metal appliances that gradually widen the bones that form the palate, creating more space in your child's mouth as the jaw develops and adult teeth emerge.
Palatal expanders are typically fixed in place until the completion of Phase 1 treatment. Parents simply turn the expander at prescribed intervals with a small key to gently expand the palate by a ¼ mm with each turn, helping to increase the width of the upper jaw to accommodate growth.