What’s a palatal expander and why would I need one?

A palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw from side to side. By holding (placing bands on the molar teeth) we can teach you (Mom, Dad) how to put pressure on palatal bones daily or as your ARCH Doctor directs. It is used most often to correct a narrow foundation (jaw bone) to make the bottom and upper teeth fit together better. Sometimes we use a removable expander to make more room for bottom teeth to fit under the correct sized top jaw. By doing this, we can help to promote a broader, more aesthetic smile.

Palatal expansion is usually not painful, but you may feel some minor discomfort, nothing a Tylenol can’’t help. . It may take a little time for you to get used to your appliance, eating can be a challenge for a meal or two. You may experience difficulty speaking. It takes time for the tongue, ear and brain to learn the new environment to speak correctly – usually about three hours of speech. Swallowing for the first meals are also learning challenges, but never for long
Adjusting your appliance daily or as directed by your ARCH Doctor will ensure you keep on schedule with the rest of your Orthodontic treatment plan. It takes a few weeks to achieve the desired amount of expansion, after which you’ll keep wearing your expander for about three to six months, giving time for the new bone to form and stabilize. Your ARCH team will give you detailed instructions, make sure you can turn the key to activate your expander, and answer questions you may have about your palatal expander.

Care, Concern and Compassion are within our Core Values here at ARCH Orthodontics we love to take care of all kids and especially those who present as a challenge.

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