Orthodontic appliances need to evolve and improve for patient comfort and ease of adaption just as much as they need to adapt for effectiveness.
Invisalign has made major advancements in orthodontic palatal expansion – a procedure where the patient’s upper jaw is gradually widened, creating room for crowded teeth and fixing bite issues. Koch Orthodontics is pleased to incorporate the removable Invisalign Palatal Expander into our treatment suite. How does this cutting edge system differ from traditional palatal expander appliances? Read on!
Why palatal expansion is (sometimes) necessary
Your oral palate is made up of two separate bones joined by a seam down the middle. In many adolescent patients, the jaw is too narrow, which can yield crowding, issues with permanent teeth eruption, breathing issues and a host of other problems. For these reasons, the upper jaw needs to be gradually widened.
Not every child is a “given” candidate for a palatal expander appliance – growth patterns, skeletal maturity, and bite function all need to be conservatively evaluated before palatal expansion treatment is prescribed. For children who are candidates, palatal expansion treatment is remarkably effective.
Enter Invisalign…
A stainless steel palatal expander operates by being fixed onto the roof of the patient’s mouth. Metal rings are cemented to the back molars, and a special key is used to periodically ‘expand’ the appliance and widen the jaw bone. Traditional steel expanders certainly ‘did their job,’ but patient feedback regarding comfort and adaptability necessitated improvements.
Enter Invisalign, already revoluntionary for their removable aligner technology. The Invisalign palatal expander is made of flexible ‘SmartForce’ nylon material. The ‘look’ is designed to be discreet as possible, and there’s no steel component. There’s also no key to turn; the patient is issued a series of staged expanders to wear and replace as prescribed over the treatment cycle. The end result? A comfortable fit tailored to the patient’s mouth, better compliance and routine use, and a smart start on a lifetime of optimal oral health.
The “Need to Knows” Of The Invisalign Palatal Expander
High-end scanning technology is used to craft a series of expanders custom-fit to the patient’s mouth to ensure maximum comfort – we understand that young children can be apprehensive about oral health treatment, and these expanders are designed to be “kid friendly.”
Comparable to Invisalign aligner trays, the Invisalign Palatal expander needs to be worn at least 22 hours a day, to be removed only for cleaning. It’s also to stay in the patient’s mouth during eating and drinking. The patient will also need to be diligent in switching out their expander appliances as prescribed (this part of the treatment is known as “active expansion” – it will not be effective if you keep the same expander in your mouth for days on end!)
The typical treatment duration for this expander system is about three to six months total: about one month of active expansion (frequent changing of expanders), followed by a two to five month holding/retention phase to stabilize the new bone growth. At that time, we will assess next steps in your child’s orthodontic treatment. Typically, if a palatal expander is necessary to expand the jaws, the young patient will be a candidate for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners or braces as their adolescence progresses.
How Do I Know If My Child is In Need Of A Palatal Expander
As mentioned earlier, not every child will need this procedure, and our assessments are conservative. Give us a call or contact us through our website and we’ll arrange to see your child for a complimentary consultation – no referral from a general dentist is necessary!