What is the Invisalign Palatal Expander?

Long Beach, CA – Early intervention can be the key to achieving a beautiful, healthy smile for growing children. For many of our younger patients, the best way to do this is through palatal expansion. Dr. Desh is excited to introduce the Invisalign Palatal Expander system to her younger patients.

Let’s start by looking at why palatal expansion is necessary for some patients.

A narrow jaw can cause a lot of problems in a developing smile, including:

1. Crowding
2. Crossbites
3. Tooth impaction
4. Difficulty breathing due to a constricted nasal airway

Palatal expansion gently widens the upper jaw in adolescent patients by separating the two bones at the palatal suture, allowing us to guide proper development of the jaw. Expansion can help us eliminate the need for extraction, relieve crowding, open up the airway, reduce the severity of malocclusion and make any additional treatment much smoother.

Invisalign has created a game-changing palatal expansion system. A traditional palatal expander is made of metal and is cemented to the roof of the mouth. It is activated by a tiny key, which works over time to widen the upper palate. The Invisalign Palatal Expander, however, is:

• Removable – just like Invisalign aligners, the expander can be removed. Your child can stay on top of his or her oral hygiene because they won’t have any additional appliances to brush and floss around. They’ll simply pop out their expander and brush and floss as usual.
• Comfortable – The Invisalign system uses a series of comfortable devices that are changed every other day. Each applies gentle and incremental pressure to gradually widen the jaw.
• Custom-designed – Each expander is custom-created for your child’s smile. They are 3D printed to ensure an ideal fit and precise control.
• Aesthetically pleasing – The Invisalign expander is less noticeable than traditional metal expanders.

The best part for parents is that there is no manual turning of the Invisalign expander. With traditional expanders, parents have to use a tiny key to physically turn the expander so that it can widen the patient’s jaw. The Invisalign expander is a series of expanders that are each calibrated to ensure the ideal growth is achieved.

So, is the Invisalign palatal expander right for your child?

The best way to determine which treatment is right for your child is through a thorough consultation with Dr. Desh. She’ll use the very best in diagnostic tools to evaluate your child’s skeletal and dental development so she can create the best plan to meet your child’s needs. Every child is different with regards to their diagnosis, personal needs and lifestyle, so there is not one approach that is right for everyone. After the consultation, Dr. Desh will discuss all options available and help you make the best decision for your child’s smile.

Early evaluation and treatment of issues allows us to harness the power of your child’s growth to achieve the most effective, aesthetic and long-lasting results. Call us at HD Orthodontics today to schedule a complimentary consultation, 562-280-2021.