How Long Do You Need to Use a Palatal Expander?

A palatal expander is necessary when your jaws don't have enough room to fit all your teeth. Widening the palate above opens up the spaces between teeth to help them fit into position better. Most of the time, a palatal expander is only used with children and teens who are still growing and can benefit from the use of this orthodontic device.

When your child visits Mack Orthodontics for teeth straightening in Bettendorf and Eldridge, IA, the orthodontist may decide that your child needs this device. They have had numerous successes with helping reshape children's mouths to get the children's teeth properly positioned and straightened.;

No Real Answer to the Question About Palatal Expanders

The short answer to "How long do you need to use a palatal expander?" is however long your child's orthodontist feels it is necessary. The longer answer is a little more complicated. For example, a child with minor facial deformities or a cleft palate might have to have both surgery and a palate expander for years to correct these kinds of oral issues.

Other kids might have a palate expander with no braces to start, wear the expander throughout treatment with braces on, and then remove the expander a few months before treatment is close to completion. Sometimes during the course of orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist notices that the child has grown faster and sooner than expected, removing the need for the palatal expander to remain for the rest of the treatment period. In that case, the expander is removed.

Finally, the expander may be in your child's mouth for a few months to a few years. It really just depends on the individual treatment plan developed by the orthodontist for your child. Because things can change with a growth spurt, a re-evaluation of the need of the expander may take place. The treatment plan may be rewritten to reflect the removal of the expander or leaving the expander in place longer.

Getting Fitted for an Expander

If your child's orthodontist determines that your child needs a palatal expander as part of the treatment plan, the orthodontic team takes a scan that measures the distance between molars on the upper jaw. The expander bar is made with two metal caps that fit over the two selected molars. The orthodontist then adheres to the metal caps with the bar in between using a safe dental adhesive. A "key" that is inserted into the center of the bar is given to you with instructions on how to use it and when to make "turns" at home.

When you are ready to see if your child needs orthodontia, call for an appointment with Mack Orthodontics!