Invisalign Palatal Expanders

Quick, Pain-Free Adapation, IMpressive results!

Invisalign’s progressive and effective technologies have allowed their suite to expand to critical orthodontic appliances beyond the standard clear removable aligners.

Koch Orthodontics is proud to offer the Invisalign Palatal Expander, which seeks to correct jaw and bite issues, and gently and gradually widen the upper jaw. This process creates more space in the patient’s mouth to alleviate teeth overcrowding, improve bite alignment, and correct crossbites. Much like Invisalign aligners, this palatal expander is removable and sports a “barely there” appearance with a comfortable fit.

You Have Questions, and We Have Answers!

To be clear – not every orthodontic case we evaluate is going to require the application of a palatal expander. So, let’s break this topic down from square one! What is palatal expansion,  what’s a palatal expander, and what does this expander aim to achieve?

Palatal Expansion

A person’s upper jaw is made of two separate bones that are connected by the midpalatal suture, a flexible joint that acts like a growth seam. In the mouths of some young patients, an upper jaw that is too narrow in comparison to the lower jaw may become the catalyst of orthodontic problems, including teeth “crowding,” a “posterior” crossbite – where the upper back teeth will bite inside of the lower back teeth instead of outside, or “impacted teeth” –  where newly erupting teeth are being blocked from erupting into the arch by existing teeth in the mouth.

All these orthodontic issues command the need for the upper jaw to be widened, and a palatal expander is the device to achieve that!

How A Traditional Palatal Expander Works…

A traditional stainless steel palatal expander (you may hear it be referred to as a “rapid palatal expander” or an “RPE”) is attached between the patient’s upper teeth on each side of the jaw. The two halves of the device are connected with a screw-type mechanism that is activated by the orthodontist and adjusted by the patient’s parent or guardian on a prescribed schedule with a key. These modest, incremental adjustments expand the upper palate and dental arch with gentle pressure.

Traditional metal expanders are effective, but as with all things in the realm of orthodontics – improvements became necessary. The orthodontic industry reported some young patients complained of discomfort, key wands were getting misplaced and lost, families were feeling overwhelmed.

… Versus How The Invisalign Palatal Expander Works!

The Invisalign palatal expander is made of a medical-grade nylon material. No metal! It still is inserted orally and sits secure on the roof of the patient’s mouth, “clicking” in place on the upper back teeth. BUT… no key is needed to activate the expander. This treatment system consists of a series of staged removable expanders, which gradually expands the upper arch.  Daily oral hygiene is a lot easier to maintain since the expander is removable.

The verdict? Research has yielded that the majority of young patients using this expander consider it a comfortable, pain-free fit and compliance with expander wear to be easy to commit to.

Important Parameters:

• Much like Invisalign aligner trays, this device is removable. So – patient wear compliance is absolutely critical in the treatment being successful. The expander is to be worn at least 22 hours a day, every day. When not in the mouth or being cleaned, the expander should be secure in its case.
• The Invisalign Expander needs to stay in your mouth during eating and drinking. This differs from traditional Invisalign aligner trays, which can be removed for eating and drinking.
• The duration of this treatment is typically six months, at a minimum.
• The series of expanders will be switched out once a day or every two days based on the orthodontist’s discretion.

Will Use of a Palatal Expander Mean I won’t Need Braces Later?

In most cases, application and use of a palatal expander is the start of a complete orthodontic journey with traditional braces or Invisalign. The palatal expander’s job is to expand the upper jaw, it’s not designed to straighten or align teeth. So, traditional braces or Invisalign aligners are usually required afterwards to move teeth into their final positions, close spaces, align the bite, and refine the occlusion.

Is My Child a Candidate For the Invisalign Palatal Expander?

As with many treatment options in our suite, the best way to gage if your child’s oral health can be improved by the use of an Invisalign palatal expander is to schedule a free consultation. We’ll thoroughly examine your child and capture a series of x-rays and/or digital images to determine if the severity of the orthodontic issues requires an Invisalign palatal expander… or if the application of an expander will prevent later orthodontic issues as your child matures into adolescence.  “Every smile is different!”