Not all jaws are created equally and in a small number of people, the upper jaw is smaller than the lower jaw. This can lead to complications like deviation between the jaws and in serious cases, severe teeth misalignment. Some people even have difficulty doing everyday things such as eating and maintaining an open airway.<\/p>\n
At Smile Team, our specialist orthodontists will assess everyone\u2019s treatment needs, and decide the best way forward. In certain cases, it may be that maxillary expansion treatment is the next best step. As it\u2019s not the most common treatment, we always educate those that are considering it, so they fully understand what it is and why they need it.<\/p>\n
When children are young, it\u2019s easy to overlook issues that don\u2019t seem like a problem, and it\u2019s natural for parents to want to avoid unnecessary dental intervention. However, whilst a small upper jaw may seem insignificant as it\u2019s not posing any issues now, it can lead to several more serious problems for your child further down the line.<\/p>\n
Overall, the aim of rapid maxillary expansion treatment is to stop those problems developing.<\/p>\n
When dentists or orthodontists say palate, they are referring to the roof of your child\u2019s mouth. Rapid maxillary expansion treatment involves fitting a palatal expander to the roof of the mouth. This is to expand the upper jaw by exerting pressure on either side of your jaw.<\/p>\n
A crucial step in your child wearing their palatal expander is turning it on a regular basis. After it is fitted your orthodontic team will provide you with clear instructions on what to do at home. All palatal expanders come with a key that you or your child must turn. Turning your place can vary between cases, it may be once a day, or every second day, to once a week or even once a month. After a designated amount of turns, your orthodontist will assess the progress, and inform you on next steps.<\/p>\n
Whilst not always pleasant, a side effect of turning the expander can be discomfort or pressure. Your child may report feeling pressure at the top of the nose and round the eyes. We want your child to be as comfortable as possible, so our orthodontic team always discuss pain relief options with you.<\/p>\n
Try not to be concerned if a small gap begins to appear between your child\u2019s front teeth. As their maxillary expansion treatment goes on, as it\u2019s completely normal. Once your treatment is finished, the orthodontists here at Smile Team will discuss options to rectify any tooth shifting, such as Invisalign or braces.<\/p>\n
Your upper jawbone is made of two bones connected by a single suture in the middle, which doesn\u2019t close until your early teenage years. Using a palatal expander at a young age ensures the area is still pliable enough to make significant changes. It is possible to undergo treatment as an adult, but far easier as a child.<\/p>\n
Meal times can remain normal, although we advise being cautious, and eliminating the following if possible:<\/p>\n
At Smile Team<\/a>, we think it\u2019s really important that our patients visit us every two to eight weeks whilst wearing their expander<\/a>. For treatment to be effective, the correct amount of key turns needs to be made. Regular appointments ensure that you\u2019re on track, and means we can check in to see if any adjustments need to be made. Appointment frequency is judged on a case-by-case basis, but most of the time, they will be every two to eight weeks.<\/p>\n