Palatal expansion
What is palatal expansion?
Palatal expansion is widening the palate (roof of the mouth). An expander is a customized dental appliance that gradually widens your child’s jaw and palate, allowing for optimal orofacial development. A wider palate enables sufficient spacing for adult teeth to grow into, an expanded airway that promotes nasal breathing, and potentially less orthodontic treatment in the future.
Palatal Expanders: Fixed vs. Removable Options
At our airway-focused, cutting-edge practice, Dr. Nora Zaghi specializes in advanced techniques for palatal expansion. By addressing the root causes of dental and airway issues, Dr. Nora provides tailored solutions to improve facial development, breathing, and overall health. Explore the various types of expanders we offer, including their unique benefits and applications.
Fixed Palatal Expanders
The rapid palatal expander (RPE) is designed to widen the upper jaw by gradually separating the mid-palatal suture. It is cemented to the molars and adjusted regularly to achieve the desired expansion. This method is most effective in children and adolescents, as their sutures are still malleable. In our practice, Dr. Nora utilizes RPE to address conditions like narrow palates, severe dental crowding, and airway obstruction, often achieving remarkable results in just weeks to months.
This is designed to widen the upper jaw by gradually separating the mid-palatal suture gently depending on the child’s individual presentation. It is cemented to the molars and adjusted regularly to achieve the desired expansion. This method is most effective in children and adolescents, as their sutures are still malleable. In our practice, Dr. Nora utilizes this method to address conditions like narrow palates, severe dental crowding, and airway obstruction, often achieving remarkable results.
The Haas expander includes an acrylic plate that applies pressure not only to the teeth but also directly to the palate. This dual action stimulates both bone growth and dental movement, making it an excellent option for younger patients with significant structural discrepancies. Dr. Nora carefully evaluates each patient to determine whether the Haas expander is the best fit for their specific needs.
The ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functional) Appliance is a gentle and holistic expander that promotes cranial balance and natural bone development. Unlike traditional expanders, the ALF focuses on stimulating the cranial sutures and encourages proper neurological and structural function. This appliance is suitable for patients of all ages, from young children to adults, and is particularly effective for addressing complex airway concerns.
Removable Palatal Expanders
The Schwarz Appliance is a popular removable expander that is highly customizable. It slowly widens the palate over time, providing steady and controlled expansion. This device is suitable for children and adolescents who need mild to moderate expansion, and it can be adjusted during treatment to meet changing needs. The Biobloc Appliance is another removable option that combines palatal expansion with functional orthodontics. It promotes proper jaw alignment, airway development, and optimal facial growth.
Dr. Nora incorporates removable expanders into her holistic treatment plans to ensure that patients experience both dental and airway health improvements. These devices are often used in conjunction with myofunctional therapy to enhance long-term outcomes.
The ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functional) Appliance is a gentle and holistic expander that promotes cranial balance and natural bone development. Unlike traditional expanders, the ALF focuses on stimulating the cranial sutures and encourages proper neurological and structural function. This appliance is suitable for patients of all ages, from young children to adults, and is particularly effective for addressing complex airway concerns. This appliance can be fixed in or removable.
The Biobloc appliance is more than just an expander—it is a functional orthodontic device that optimizes facial growth and development. By encouraging proper tongue posture and jaw alignment, it not only expands the palate but also helps guide overall facial structure. Dr. Nora incorporates Biobloc therapy into her practice to address underlying airway issues and ensure long-term stability.
The Homeoblock is a cutting-edge removable appliance designed for adults. It stimulates bone remodeling and natural growth by harnessing forces such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing. This unique device supports airway health, improves facial aesthetics, and enhances overall well-being. Dr. Nora is highly skilled in fitting and managing Homeoblock therapy, offering adult patients a non-invasive solution for palatal expansion.
This combines expansion with airway-focused therapy, used for patients with sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea. By addressing both the structure and function of the upper airway, the DNA appliance improves airway health.
At our practice, Dr. Nora uses her expertise to determine the most appropriate removable expander for each patient, ensuring that treatment aligns with their overall health goals. Whether the focus is on early intervention, airway improvement, or comprehensive facial development, these devices provide effective solutions.
The Crozat appliance is a light, wire-based expander that provides gentle, continuous force for widening the palate and aligning teeth. Its minimalist design allows for greater patient comfort and oral hygiene. The Crozat is often used for patients requiring more subtle adjustments or for those who benefit from cranial stimulation as part of their treatment.
The Myobrace is a pre-fabricated appliance that focuses on addressing poor oral habits like mouth breathing and tongue thrusting while simultaneously expanding the dental arch. It promotes natural jaw growth, improved tongue posture, and nasal breathing. The Myobrace is ideal for younger patients and is often used as part of early interceptive orthodontics.
This appliance is designed for slow, targeted expansion of the palate. It is particularly effective for addressing minor crowding or preparing the jaw for additional orthodontic treatments. The Sagittal appliance can also incorporate features to guide functional improvements.
Invisible expansion techniques, popular in European orthodontics, focus on discreet, gradual palate widening methods that harmonize with natural growth and facial aesthetics. These innovative systems often use clear aligners or lightweight wire appliances, applying gentle and consistent pressure to encourage bone remodeling and expansion without noticeable hardware. European methods prioritize functional improvement alongside aesthetics, ensuring the expansion process supports airway health, dental alignment, and overall craniofacial development. At our airway-focused, cutting-edge practice, Dr. Nora Zaghi integrates these advanced techniques, combining the best of European innovation with her specialized expertise in holistic, patient-centered care.
who is a good candidate for palatal expansion?
- Narrow jaw
- Narrow palate
- Overcrowded mouth
- Misaligned bite
- Sleep apnea
what is the process of palatal expansion?
- Consultation: Dr. Nora performs a comprehensive examination of your child, which includes examining your child’s oral health, nasal health, and inquiring about their breathing habits. This comprehensive consultation is important for Dr. Nora to get to know your child to decide which mode of palatal expansion would be optimal.
- Records: Proper records are required in order to engineer a customized expander that will fit your child perfectly. In addition, these records will help us visualize your child’s current state, which will allow for visualizing the progress as expansion begins. The records appointment includes a CBCT scan, iTero scan, intraoral photographs, and extraoral photographs.
- Delivery: Once we receive the expander from the laboratory, Dr. Nora will guide the parent and child through the instructions of how to wear and maintain the expander for optimal results. Regardless of whether your child has received fixed or removable expanders, this appointment will consist of ensuring the expander fits comfortably in your child’s mouth. Dr. Nora will also instruct on how to use the turning key, which is used to turn the screw at the center of the expander. Each turn will encourage the palatal bones to move apart, which will widen the palate and jaws.
- Follow-Up: Dr. Nora recommends monthly follow-up appointments to track the progress of your child’s palatal expansion and apply any necessary adjustments.
Taking care of your expanders
Avoid the following:
- Chewing hard, sticky foods
- Tampering/playing with the expander
- Incorrectly turning the activation key could dislodge the expander
- Accidentally hitting the mouth area could dislodge the expander
