Palatal Expanders
Great Neck, NY Orthodontist
Palatal expanders are an important part of our practice and can help to improve oral health and facial symmetry.
Palatal expanders are orthodontic appliances that are used to expand the upper jaw in children while their palate and skeletal structures are still developing. Palatal expanders help us widen the upper jaw by applying gentle pressure to the teeth and bones in the upper jaw to make room for a healthy, straight, and beautiful smile. They are usually recommended for patients with a narrow upper jaw, crossbite, or overcrowding issues.
Benefits of Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders carry several benefits for our orthodontic patients. While their function is to widen the upper jaw to make room for permanent teeth and provide ideal outcomes to orthodontic treatment, they can also help to correct crossbites, improve breathing and speech, prevent overcrowding, reduce the need to extractions to create room for permanent teeth and even enhance facial symmetry.
The Process of Getting a Palatal Expander
A palatal expander typically requires two appointments as it calls for the creation of a custom appliance that's unique to your child's mouth.
Here is what the process looks like to receive a palatal expander:
Step 1: Ortho Consultation
During your first appointment, we will evaluate your child's dental and facial structures to determine if a palatal expander is necessary. We will take x-rays, and impressions of the teeth to assess the bite and overall alignment. If a palatal expander is necessary, we will discuss the treatment plan with you and answer any questions you may have.
Step 2: Creating the Palatal Expander
Once the impressions are taken, they are sent to a dental lab where the palatal expander appliance is created. The lab will use the impressions to design and fabricate an appliance that is custom-fitted to your child's mouth. It may take anywhere from several days to a few weeks for our office to receive your child's appliance back in our office.
Step 3: Placement & Adjustments
Once the palatal expander appliance is ready, you and your child will return to our office on a second appointment to have it placed in your child's mouth. We carefully fit the appliance to your child's teeth and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it fits comfortably and securely. Your child may feel some discomfort or pressure at first, but this should subside within a few days.
Caring for Your Palatal Expander
Proper care of a palatal expander is important to ensure its effectiveness and maintain good oral health.
Patients should brush and floss regularly, avoiding hard and sticky foods that may damage the appliance or disrupt its ability to properly function.
Regular check-ups with our office are also necessary so that we can monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the expander.
Common Concerns & Questions
About Palatal Expanders
Is wearing a palatal expander painful?
Some discomfort or pressure is common when the palatal expander is first placed in the mouth or when adjustments are made, but it should not be painful. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage any discomfort. If your child experiences persistent pain or sore spots, please contact our office for advice.
How long will my child need to wear a palatal expander?
The length of time that a palatal expander needs to be worn varies depending on the individual case and the extent of the orthodontic issue. Generally, palatal expanders are worn for several months to a year. During your consultation, we will be able to provide a treatment plan that outlines the expected timeline for your child's palatal expander treatment.
How will a palatal expander affect speech and eating?
It's common for patients to experience some difficulty speaking and eating when they first begin wearing a palatal expander, but this typically improves within a few days as they get used to the appliance. Some patients may experience a slight lisp or changes in their speech, but this is usually temporary.
It's important to avoid hard and sticky foods while wearing a palatal expander, as these can damage or dislodge the appliance. After the appliance is placed, we will provide detailed instructions on how to care for the palatal expander and what types of foods to avoid.