Palatal Expanders

Palatal expanders are devices designed to widen the upper jaw (maxilla) by exerting controlled opening pressure on the palatal bones. These expanders are commonly used in growing children and adolescents when the bones are still developing. In adults, where the palatal bones have fused, surgically assisted expansion,with or without TADs, may be needed to allow the palatal bones to separate and expand.

Expanders are usually tooth-borne or carried by teeth. This means that expanders need firm adult and baby teeth to serve as strong anchor teeth so that orthodontic forces can be effectively transferred to the bone.

Bone-borne anchors are expanders that are directly locked into bone. This is usually indicated only in severe cases and is not the norm for young, growing kids.

Non-Removable Palatal Expanders:

At MyBracesClinic, we believe in using a palatal expansion appliance that works and is patient-friendly. Invisalign First and Invisalign Palatal Expander System is designed with palatal expansion for kids in mind.

Invisalign First allows our Orthodontic Team to plan for BOTH general expansion (overall increase in dimension of the palate) and targeted expansion (where expansion is limited to specific points)

Invisalign First’s Clinicheck software allows our clinicians a way 3D control to plan precisely where the expansion should be and how much expansion to create.

Invisalign First software transforms our Teams plan into reality with a series of clear aligners that are changed weekly. This means our patients enjoy a clean, fresh set of Invisalign First expanders every week.

Being removable, thin and smooth, comfort is never compromised. There are no metal parts in Invisalign First so there is nothing to poke or repair.

Invisalign Palatal Expander System that does NOT have any metal or screws. Invisalign palatal expander targets skeletal maxillary expansion via a series of custom-made, 3D printed removable expanders that are made of Nyon. Each invisalign palatal expander has an activation of 0.25 mm and are clicked over teeth in children. Available soon in Singapore.

Correction of Crossbites:

Expanders effectively address posterior or anterior crossbites by widening the upper jaw and aligning the upper and lower teeth properly.

Management of Crowding:

By creating additional space in the dental arch, expanders help alleviate crowding issues, providing room for permanent teeth to erupt naturally.

Improvement of Breathing and Airway:

Wider dental arches can contribute to improved nasal breathing and may positively affect overall respiratory function.

Enhanced Facial Aesthetics:

Properly aligned dental arches and a well-proportioned jaw contribute to a harmonious facial appearance, boosting aesthetics and confidence.

Consultation and Diagnosis:

An orthodontic evaluation determines the need for expansion, considering factors such as dental crowding, crossbites, airway obstruction and facial aesthetics.

Customized Treatment Plan:

Our orthodontic specialist creates a personalized treatment plan based on the diagnosis, selecting the appropriate type of expander for the individual’s needs. Adults may require surgically-assisted expansion as the palatal sutures have already fused, therefore a consultation with our surgical team may be indicated.

Activation and Monitoring:

The expander is activated as per the prescribed schedule, and regular check-ups are conducted to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Retention Phase:

After achieving the desired expansion, a retention phase may follow, involving the use of a retainer to maintain the corrected position of the teeth and jaw.