Palatal Expanders for Kids in Arlington Heights & Deerfield, IL
One of the key advantages of beginning orthodontic care during childhood is that orthodontists can leverage a child’s natural growth patterns to effectively address—or even prevent—certain types of orthodontic issues, known as malocclusions or “bad bites.” At Jarosz & Valente Orthodontics, serving families in Arlington Heights and Deerfield, we frequently utilize a gentle device called a palatal expander to achieve these outcomes.
A palatal expander works by carefully widening a child’s upper jaw, creating extra room for teeth to properly align. While expanding the jaw may initially sound intimidating, it’s actually a straightforward and comfortable process for most children. This ease is because the upper jaw, known as the maxilla, naturally forms as two separate sections that only fully fuse after puberty. Because the bones are not yet solidly joined in younger children, they can be gently expanded over several months without discomfort.
When Does a Child Need Palatal Expansion?
Three primary situations commonly benefit from maxillary expansion:
Crossbite:
When a child’s upper jaw is narrower than the lower jaw, it causes the upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth, resulting in a crossbite. Using a palatal expander to gently widen the upper jaw helps correct this misalignment.
Crowding:
Even before a child’s permanent teeth fully emerge, orthodontists can often foresee space limitations. Palatal expansion creates enough room in the jaw for adult teeth to comfortably grow into proper alignment, frequently eliminating the need for tooth removal later on.
Impacted Teeth:
Sometimes a permanent tooth, often a canine (the pointed tooth beneath the eye), cannot erupt properly due to insufficient space. Palatal expansion gently creates the necessary room, allowing these teeth to erupt into their correct positions naturally.
In addition to addressing these orthodontic conditions, expanding the upper jaw offers additional benefits, such as:
- Creating an attractive, broader smile
- Reducing or eliminating the need for tooth extraction
- Improving airflow and breathing
- Potentially reducing the duration of subsequent orthodontic treatment, including time spent in braces.
How Does a Palatal Expander Work?
Palatal expanders are custom-fabricated to precisely fit your child’s mouth. The appliance attaches securely to several upper back teeth and features two halves connected by a central screw mechanism. Parents are typically instructed on how to activate the expander at home by turning the screw slightly each day using a special key provided by your orthodontist. Each small turn gradually moves the two halves of the upper jaw apart. Once the desired expansion has been achieved, the expander remains in place for an additional few months, allowing new bone to fill in and permanently stabilize the expanded jaw. On average, children wear expanders between six to nine months.
What to Expect with a Palatal Expander
Your child might experience slight pressure or mild discomfort immediately after turning the expander key, but this sensation usually fades quickly and is typically less noticeable than the discomfort from traditional braces adjustments. Initially, your child might notice differences when speaking or eating, but these adjustments typically resolve within days as the tongue adapts. Another common—and completely normal—side effect is a temporary gap appearing between the front teeth, indicating successful expansion. Eventually, your child’s permanent teeth will align comfortably with ideal spacing.
If you’re interested in learning more about palatal expanders and early orthodontic care, our experienced orthodontists in Arlington Heights and Deerfield are here to answer your questions and support your child’s healthy smile development.