A palate expander is one of the early treatments orthodontists employ when treating their little patients. This technique is used to correct crossbite or upper jaw narrowing problems on the back of the teeth.
Children’s jaw lining is still developing, and all the required changes and mistakes can be rectified and handled at early stages.
Silver Lake Orthodontics is a team of expert orthodontists specializing in everything pediatric. They will first conduct a thorough examination of your child’s dental health and come up with the best solutions, including using palate expanders. The local orthodontist specializes in pediatric care and can be your best help.
Crossbite
The symmetry of teeth will be such that the upper jaw will act as a cap for the lower jaw and cover the dental lining. Crossbite condition is diagnosed on any side of the mouth.
This issue can be caused by just a single tooth or multiple teeth. If the condition is noticed in the back of the teeth, then a palate expander is required to take care of it.
Crowding
Sometimes, the development of the milk tooth will be such that they overcrowd the available space.
The experts suggest choosing the palate expander instead of going with tooth extractions or brace installations in the later years.
The Working Mechanism
When the palate expander is installed into the child’s mouth, it will be directly placed onto the upper jaw. The molars will be the holding piece where the wires will be attached.
A key will be provided to the parents to turn a small screw daily. The palatal expander will gently push the teeth outward millimeters daily.
The daily expansion continues with the palate expander until a bone develops between the upper and lower jaw to hold them together and in place. Once the growth stabilizes both the jaws, the orthodontist will decide how to proceed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Installation of palate expanders will avoid the requirement of brace installation in the later years.
- Avoids the requirement of tooth removal
- Helps the child eat and chew its food comfortably
- Offers enough space for the emerging teeth
- Helps with healthy breathing
- Offers easy flossing and brushing as teeth will be straightened out
- Helps the child smile openly and confidently
Cons
- The child might need help with getting adjusted to the expanders, which can affect its eating habits
- Some tenderness can be noticed during the adjustments
- It can influence the initial stages of speech in a child
- Improper maintenance and cleaning can increase the chances of bacterial infection
The initial days can be difficult for the child as it will still be getting used to the presence of something new in its mouth. You can help your child by offering a support system such as,
- Soft foods such as smoothies, yogurts, mashed potatoes, soup, etc., should be offered to avoid chewing and help easy swallowing.
- Helping with oral hygiene by assisting them during brushing and flossing
Some children might develop cold-like symptoms because of the installation of palate expanders. The dentists will prescribe some medications to help with this condition. Make sure that your child is offered comfort and care during these days.