PALATAL EXPANDER

Orthodontic expansion of the palate has several possible indications. The most frequent use is to correct a skeletal crossbite, making a narrow maxilla normal in width, allowing ideal occlusion and proper inclination of the posterior teeth. In some circumstances, palatal expansion may be used to increase the arch perimeter and gain space to align a crowded dentition. Palatal expansion can correct the axial inclinations of the roots of the posterior teeth. There may also be an indication for palatal expansion to improve a patient’s arch form and eliminate excessive buccal corridors that make the smile unattractive.
Posterior crossbite may be due to several causes:

1) Maxillary width too narrow for mandibular width;

2) Interference (often due to primary canines) that causes a functional shift and a “pseudo-crossbite;”

3) Mandibular asymmetry;

4) Palatal tipping of posterior teeth. Skeletal crossbites can be differentiated from dental crossbites and treated appropriately.

Proper timing is critical. Increasing age brings increasing interdigitation of bony spicules within the midpalatal suture. In the preadolescent, the suture opens easily using a variety of orthodontic appliances. By early adolesence, considerable force is required to open the suture. With some patients, as early as age 14, it may not be possible to open the suture without surgical assistance. Girls tend to have earlier fusion of the midpalatal suture than boys. By the late teenage years, virtually all patients require surgical intervention in order to have skeletal, rather than dental, expansion with an expander. Early evaluation of patients when a posterior crossbite is detected can allow simple, predictable and stable expansion and save the patient from later surgical intervention to expand the palate.

Orthodontic Check-ups By age 7

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.
AAO does not advocate comprehensive orthodontic treatment by age 7. However, interceptive treatment may be appropriate.


With the parent, dentist and orthodontist working together, early intervention can lead to significant benefits in both growth and development as well as:
· Guide facial growth to a more attractive profile.
· Reduce self-consciousness of appearance during critical years.
· Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position.
· Reduce the need to extract teeth.
· Possibly reduce treatment time required for comprehensive braces.
· Overall improvement in the long-term health of the teeth and gums.