It’s not uncommon for people to have misaligned teeth that become even more out of place due to issues with their jaws. According to Scientific American, 9 in 10 individuals have teeth that are slightly misaligned. Some patients’ teeth may be so out of alignment that braces aren’t enough to fix the problem.
If you’re dealing with bottom teeth that lean inward, your orthodontist may recommend a lower palate expander. While this mechanism doesn’t adjust your lower jaw bone, it is effective at spreading your lower teeth.
This blog will discuss what patients can expect during the lower palatal expansion process. We’ll talk about different scenarios where this course of treatment may be used.
What Is a Lower Palate Expander?
Another term for a lower palate expander is a Schwartz appliance. It’s most commonly used to develop a child or adult’s lower arch. What’s great about this dental appliance is that it’s removable – the patient just has to ensure they wear it at all times.
The lower palate expander works by slowly expanding the patient’s palate. The patient or their grown-up turns a small screw that’s in the center of the appliance. Most of the time this happens weekly, unless the orthodontist recommends a different frequency.
The patient’s arch will grow and develop, expanding as the lower palate expander puts pressure on it. Most patients can wear the expander for six months. It’s typically used along with braces to help move the patient’s teeth to their final position.
Who’s a Candidate for a Lower Palate Expander?
Orthodontic palate expanders can be used on adults. However, they’re more effective for younger patients.
One of the primary reasons they’re not as effective for adults is that all of their permanent teeth have come in. An adult’s jaw isn’t as mailable as a child’s is. Some signs your child may benefit from lower jaw expanders include:
- Crossbite
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Breathing issues
- Impacted teeth
Your or your child’s orthodontist (depending on who the patient is) will evaluate the individual’s oral health. They’ll let you know if they believe they may benefit from a lower palate expander.
What’s the Lower Palate Expander Process?
While we all want the lower palate expander treatment timeline to go by quickly, this procedure does take some time. As we mentioned earlier, the treatment could take up to six months. Treatment may take longer if the patient is dealing with severe cases of impacted or overcrowded teeth.
Placement and Fit
Every lower palate expander is custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth. The orthodontist will take an impression of your lower jaw and teeth.
They’ll then send a digital scan to a lab. The lab will use that information to create a personalized lower palate expander that can be placed into your mouth. Bands are used to attach the expander to the patient’s lower molars.
Adjustments
Parents or the patient themselves will adjust their lower palate expander depending on the schedule recommended by their orthodontist. A special key is required to turn the screw in the expander.
Every time the screw is turned, the expander puts pressure on the lower jaw and palate. This causes the palate to expand, helping the teeth go into alignment.
Some challenges the patient might experience when they first get the palate expander and after each adjustment include:
- Pressure in the mouth and across the jaw/nose
- Difficulty eating and sleeping
Keep in mind that this discomfort doesn’t last forever. The initial uncomfortable feelings may last a few days. The tenderness after turning the key could last a few hours.
Orthodontist Visits
Your orthodontist will want to monitor the progress of the lower palate expander throughout your treatment. They may make adjustments to your palate, including changing the frequency of how often you turn the screw.
What Are Lower Palate Expander Benefits?
There are many advantages to lower palate expanders, especially with younger patients. These dental devices allow orthodontists to take advantage of the natural growth process to prevent or treat future dental problems.
Widens the Palate
A lower palate expander widens the palate to make room for more teeth. Putting pressure on the lower molars reduces crowding as it spreads the palate apart. As a result, it creates space for a child’s permanent teeth to come in in the position they’re supposed to.
One of the benefits of this is that it prevents the need for teeth extraction in the future. The child’s mouth will be widened enough for their adult teeth to easily come into place.
Tooth Impaction Prevention
There may not be enough room in a child’s mouth if they’re dealing with overcrowded teeth. If a tooth hasn’t come in yet and it’s blocked by an existing tooth, it can become impacted. This sensation can be very painful and often requires oral surgery to remedy.
Widening the lower palate allows a child’s teeth to erupt in the right positions. There won’t be any other teeth blocking them since the existing teeth have been adjusted into the right spot.
Achieve a Gorgeous Smile
Your child may be subconsciously chewing on one side of their mouth if they’re dealing with majorly misaligned teeth on the other side. This sensation can affect their bite, making their smile off balance.
Expanding the lower palate at an early age can remove any dental interferences. The palate will allow the lower jaw to center itself below the upper one. This creates a flawless smile full of straight teeth.
Schedule an Appointment With an Experienced Orthodontist
While a lower palate expander can’t alter your jaw, it’s effective at fixing lower teeth that aren’t in alignment. People of all ages can benefit from this dental hardware, but it’s more effective in younger children. Scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist is key to finding a solution to your oral health problems.
Senack Orthodontics is here to help you and your family achieve flawless and beautiful smiles. We offer a wide range of services, including palate expanders, metal braces, and teeth whitening.
Check out our locations to find an orthodontist office near you.
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