Palatal expansion is the process of widening the upper jaw when it is too narrow or smaller than the lower jaw. An appliance is made which fits in the “roof of the mouth” and is attached to the upper molars.  By activating the appliance through a series of turns, a wider palate is created.  The expander will correct crossbites of the molar teeth and make room for crowded teeth. This appliance is most effective in young, growing patients, but can be used effectively until the end of adolescence.  Not all patients need to have an expander. When you meet with Dr. Nett at the initial exam appointment, he will evaluate your individual needs and let you know if you are a candidate for this orthodontic appliance.

HOW IS THE PALATAL EXPANDER ADJUSTED?

The appliance is expanded one turn each day for the first 2 weeks.  Each turn is equal to one-quarter of a millimeter. The first few days of expansion the teeth may feel “tight” or sore. This is normal.  Advil or Tylenol can be taken if needed. We will show you how to make the turns and you will be given an opportunity to turn the appliance before leaving our office.

WHAT TO EXPECT

As expansion takes place, a small space may open between the two front teeth. This means the expansion is working correctly. Don’t worry, as the space will close by itself once the expansion phase is completed.  The expansion phase will last approximately 4 weeks on an average, but Dr. Nett will let you know how many turns he will need for your particular orthodontic needs. Once the appropriate width has been achieved, the expander will remain in place for about 5-6 months.

BRUSHING AND DIET

Extra time is needed when brushing to make sure to remove all food particles. We will give you special brushes and some helpful hints to help keep everything clean.  We ask that you avoid eating food and candies which are hard and/or sticky as this would cause the appliance to become loose, which could slow down progress.