Orthodontic expansion or widening of the jaws is easily achieved in children up to the age of 15 years. They can either be a removable appliance or glued in place. Expanders are used commonly between the ages of 8 and 12 to correct the following:
- narrow upper jaw
- crossbite
- mild crowding
How Does Upper Jaw Expansion Work?
The upper jaw consists of two halves joined in the middle. This join does not fuse fully until about the age of 15 up until which point, one can separate these two halves when an appropriate expansion force is applied. The process involved is as follows:
- A dental impression of the upper jaw is taken
- Our orthodontic laboratory constructs a custom fitted expander appliance with a midline expansion screw
- The expansion appliance is fitted and the screw is turned as directed to achieve the desired amount of jaw expansion
- Expanders are usually worn for 6 to 12 months