ProviderBenefits of Palatal Expansion for Children
Palatal expansion treatment uses an orthodontic device to widen a narrow upper jaw, providing more space for permanent teeth as they erupt.
When children are young, the upper jaw consists of two sides connected by a soft spot 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.
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 help reduce the duration of treatment with braces or clear aligners in later years.
In some cases, palatal expansion can have the added benefit of helping the child to eat, breathe, and speak more easily.
The Importance of Early Orthodontics for Kids
An orthodontic assessment at age seven allows your orthodontist to diagnose emerging issues and begin treatment to help minimize the need for more invasive treatments in the teen years. Early orthodontic treatment may include palatal expansion.
How Palatal Expanders Work
Palatal bones in the roof of the mouth continue to grow until children reach puberty, making the years between seven and 11 the ideal time to detect 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 usually fixed in place until the completion of Phase 1 treatment.
At Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego, we use Quad Helix during Phase 1 treatment. Unlike other expanders, Quad Helix does not require parents to turn a screw to increase the width of the palate. Instead, it is 'pre-loaded' to the correct size, and then compressed when placed into your child's mouth. Over time, it will expand with your child's mouth until it becomes the right size.