Palatal Expanders
If you have a narrow upper jaw, you may benefit from a palate expander. Most people don’t know they need a palate expander until they’ve had a consultation with an orthodontist. This is why many patients come to the orthodontist in Cordova and Ashland City, TN.
We can help you determine whether a palate expander is necessary to help with your oral health. If you need a palate expander, we can also help you through the process.
Palate Expander Defined
A palate expander is a device that can widen your upper jaw. Palate expanders fit in the roof of the mouth and gently apply pressure to push both halves of the jawbone apart. Palate expanders can work in children and adults.
How Do Palate Expanders Work?
Palate expanders work by applying gentle force to the sides of your palate. Palate expanders work over time. While the palate expander is in place, the palate widens, and new bone fills the space where the bone stretches.
Who Benefits From a Palate Expander?
The best candidates for wearing a palate expander are children. Children’s bones are still growing and forming, so they’re easy to manipulate and respond quickly to treatment. The best age to start wearing a palate expander is around age 7 or 8.
Palate expanders are easier to use at this age, and because children aged 7 or 8 are still getting their permanent teeth. Using a palate expander at this age can even help the patient avoid more serious orthodontic issues in the future.
Even though there is a preferred age for using a palate expander, anyone who needs help from a palate expander can get treatment.
You may benefit from a palate expander if you have crowded or crooked teeth, impacted teeth, overlapping teeth, difficulty chewing, or a misaligned bite.
How Can I Tell If I Need a Palate Expander?
Most people aren’t able to tell just by noticing their symptoms that they could benefit from a palate expander. The best way to find out is by visiting an orthodontist for an evaluation.
Palate Expander FAQs
Are palate expanders painful?
Palate expanders aren’t painful to use, but like braces, they can cause some discomfort after installation and following adjustments. Your orthodontist will tell you what signs to watch for that something is not right with your palate expander. If you do experience mild discomfort, over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen can often help.
How long do palate expanders take to work?
Palate expanders can take anywhere from a month to a year to work, depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the condition. Your orthodontist will help you determine how long you’ll need to wear the palate expander.
Will my face change using a palate expander?
Your face will not change using a palate expander, although you may notice that it is easier to breathe through your nose. This happens because palate expanders can widen the channels inside the nose, allowing you to draw in more breath at once.
Why Choose Us for Orthodontic Services?
If you need orthodontic services, we are the preferred orthodontists in Cordova and Ashland City, TN. We provide a full range of orthodontic services to meet the needs of our patients.
We also have a reputation for providing excellent orthodontic care. Patients turn to us because of our streamlined scheduling services, our modern dental facilities, and more.
Need Help? Contact Us!
The use of a palate expander can help reduce problems like crowded and crooked teeth. If you or your child needs a palate expander, it’s better to get help sooner rather than later.
Especially for children, the earlier you can get help for them, the better. Young children have malleable bones that respond well to this kind of treatment. Want to know more? Contact orthodontists in Cordova and Ashland City, TN, to get started today.
