Palate Expanders

Palate Expanders at Virginia Braces and Aligners

Palate Expanders

Palate expanders are orthodontic appliances that we regularly recommend for our patients. It is one the most important appliance in our practice. At Virginia Braces and Invisalign Center, we understand it when parents have feelings of anxiety about palate expanders because they don’t fully understand them. What are these appliances and when will your child need them? Find out in this guide.

What Are Palatal Expanders?

Palatal expanders are orthodontic appliances that expand the upper jaw by creating gentle pressure on the upper molars. When your child wears these appliances, daily activations or adjustments will be required. They work by widening narrow palates, thus creating enough room for the growth of permanent teeth.

Expanders are commonly prescribed in conditions of crossbite between the two arches or when there is not enough space for the emergency of permanent teeth. They work best for kids and preteens, as their bones are still in the growth phase. Our orthodontists in Arlington, Mechanicsville, Charlottesville, Ruckersville, and Woodbridge may recommend these devices if your child has the following problems:

  • Crowded teeth

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Difficulty chewing

  • Impacted teeth

  • Misaligned bite

The perfect age for using palatal expanders is 7 to 10 years. This is the time when the jaw bones are not fully developed. The bones are still growing and are more receptive to treatment. Besides, adults can also benefit from these orthodontic devices. However, in this case, surgically-assisted procedures may also be required.

Types of Palatal Expanders

We provide different types of palatal expanders. This includes:

  • Rapid Palatal Expanders: These expanders feature metal bands and are used for mild to severe cases.

  • Removable Palatal Expanders: They are used for mild to moderate cases where there is only a need for expanding the jaw by a little amount.

  • Surgically-Assisted Palatal Expanders:These are also used for moderate to severe situations but are mostly used in the cases of adults having fully developed jaw bones.

  • Implant-Supported Palatal Expanders: These appliances are also used for similar cases and are mostly recommended for adults. They make use of 4 mini implants embedded into the maxillary bone for widening the palate.

Our orthodontists will instruct on the duration for which you will have to wear your palatal expanders.