Good dental health is vital for both children and adults. An orthodontic device expander can help if your child has a narrow upper jaw. An orthodontic expander stroudsburg helps to create more space in your kid’s mouth by widening the roof of your palate. This dental procedure can sound daunting to both the parent and child, but it’s a common orthodontic treatment. Therefore, you may wonder how orthodontic expanders work if they hurt, or when your child needs them. Read on for answers to those questions and more about orthodontic expander treatment.
What Exactly Is an Orthodontic Expander?
This is a dental device used to generate extra space in your child’s upper jaw. The device consists of two metal components that span the hard palate and then connect in the middle with a tiny screw. A separate key connecting with this screw enables you to turn it and increase the pressure on the expander. Over time, it makes the palate bones move apart, widening the upper jaw.
When Does Your Child Need an Orthodontic Expander?
There are several situations when your child might need an orthodontic expander. These include;
Teeth crowding- before the eruption of the kids’ adult teeth, an orthodontist can determine if there is sufficient room in the mouth. Widening the upper jaw through an expander will help create enough space for the new teeth.
Crossbite- This condition happens when a kid’s upper jaw is narrower than the lower jaw. This causes the top back teeth to get inside the lower back teeth when chewing or biting.
Narrow mouth roof- This condition results from mouth breathing and genetics. The tongue cannot rest on the roof of the mouth as it normally should; therefore, the upper mouth becomes smaller and collapses.
Impacted teeth- This condition happens when a tooth tries to erupt but gets blocked by other teeth. Expanding the upper jaw offers extra space to allow the new tooth to erupt.
What To Expect After Getting an Orthodontic Expander?
After the orthodontic expander is inserted, it might take some time for your child to get used to it. Initially, your child will find eating and talking awkward, but they will adjust. It is also common to experience short-term lisping and drool. Immediately after installation, you may see a gap between your kid’s front teeth, but this is normal. This space is fixed with braces. Your child might also experience pressure at the top of the nose or below the eyes because the expander moves the bone. However, any discomfort or pain is easily relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Maintenance And Care
The care and maintenance of an orthodontic expander are relatively easy. Ensure your child brushes thrice daily or after every meal, if possible. When rinsing and brushing are ineffective, you can use a syringe with water to clean extra food particles.
Ultimately, using an orthodontic expander to widen the roof of your kid’s mouth will help give you amazing results later on. It is an essential part of orthodontic procedures. As a parent, always encourage your kid to care properly for the expander. You also may wonder whether there are some foods that your child should avoid. They should avoid sticky foods, chewing nuts, ice, and candy. In the end, the child will achieve an elegant and healthy smile.
