Vancouver Orthodontist – What is a Palatal Expander?

Every mouth is unique, which means no two people will have the exact same experience for their orthodontics treatment. Although braces are great for straightening crooked and misaligned teeth, not everyone is ready to have braces put on in a pinch. Some people need to have their jaws corrected before they can get braces.

One of the most effective ways to widen the jaw and create more room for your teeth to be aligned by braces is with a palatal expander. Your Vancouver Orthodontist will use a palatal expander to widen your upper jaw so that both your upper and bottom teeth will fit together better. After your jaw alignment has been improved then braces can be applied and your teeth have more space to be properly aligned.

Typically, a palatal expander is used on children, but they can be work for adults as well. With regular adjustments to your expander by Dr. Croft, your jaw will gently and steadily move into the desired position. After you reach the desired position, Dr. Croft will usually leave the expander in place in order to prevent the jaw from moving back. You can click here to see how the palatal expander works. Also, click here to see what else Vancouver WA orthodontist Dr. Robert Croft can do for you. Or, give us a call at 360-883-3800.