What is Palatal Expansion?
Palatal expansion treatment uses an orthodontic device to widen the upper jaw, allowing teeth to erupt with proper alignment.
In children, the upper jaw consists of two sides connected by a soft spot between them. This soft spot extends right down the centre of the upper jaw, allowing it to widen as the mouth grows and develops.
Palatal expansion can help when the palate remains too narrow for the teeth to erupt properly.
Embarking on the palatal expansion process while a child's mouth is still growing helps circumvent or minimize the development of jaw and teeth misalignments. In turn, this can shorten treatment duration with braces or clear aligners in later years.
In some cases, palatal expansion may also help the child eat, breathe, and speak more easily.
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 recommended as part of your child's early orthodontic treatment at Braced in BC.
How Palatal Expanders Work
Palatal bones grow until puberty, making ages five to 11 ideal for detecting and treating a narrow palate.
Palatal expanders are custom-made metal and/or acrylic 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 may be fixed in place or removable until the completion of Phase 1 treatment. Parents simply turn the expander at prescribed intervals using a small key to gently widen the palate by ¼ mm with each turn, which helps increase the width of the upper jaw to accommodate growth and the developing teeth.