Encourage Your Child's Natural Growth
If Dr. Brian Bolerjack discovers your child's jaw isn't quite wide enough, he may suggest using a palatal expander. This small device will make a big difference in optimizing your child's airway, tongue posture, and permanent tooth spacing.
What Is a Palatal Expander?
A palatal expander is an oral device Dr. Bolerjack uses to guide the growth of the upper jaw. The most common time to use a palatal expander is in pre-adolescence, but they can be helpful for teens and adults, too!
If your child has a crossbite or particularly narrow upper jaw, Dr. Bolerjack may recommend a palatal expander to correct the issue.
How Palatal Expanders Work
At Lakeway Orthodontics, we make customized expanders for every child. These work to gently widen (or expand) the developing upper jaw by applying slight pressure each time we make an adjustment to the device.
Dr. Bolerjack will prescribe and design a custom expansion appliance and treatment plan to ensure your child is comfortable and achieves the amazing results they deserve!
Once we reach the desired expansion, your child will need to continue wearing their expander for a while to maintain the results we've achieved and prevent regression.
Adjusting Palatal Expanders
Adjusting your child's expander can take some getting used to in the early days. But don't want you to worry—it'll become second nature.
Here are some simple steps to follow when making adjustments to your expander:
- Step 1: Find a well-lit area and tip your child's head back.
- Step 2: Place the key (the tip of the tool used to make adjustments) into the small hole in the center of the expander. Make sure it's really in there before moving on!
- Step 3: Push the key toward the back of your child's mouth. You'll notice the fender will rotate, and the new hole will appear. The rotation will stop when the key meets the back of the expander.
- Step 4: Press back and down toward your child's tongue to remove the key. The next hole for the key insertion should now be visible, and you're all done!
If you have any questions about your child's treatment or making adjustments, contact our Lakeway office, and we'll be happy to help!
Get Started Today
Children tend to do very well with palatal expanders here at Lakeway Orthodontics. However, it can be stressful for the parents responsible for making adjustments.
Our team is here for you every step of the way. Schedule your free consultation today to learn if your child would benefit from palatal expanders!