Pediatric Expansion – Delafield, WI
Creating Space for Improved Breathing & Jaw Growth
Proper oral development is important if good oral and overall health are to be achieved. However, it is not always possible, as many children have a narrow upper jaw. When this happens, they may struggle to breathe freely, have crowded or crooked teeth, or develop speech issues. At Bionica Dental Wellness, we want to address this common problem with pediatric expansion in Delafield. By widening the jaw, we can create essential space for better breathing, more confident aesthetics, and better oral health. If you believe your child might benefit from this type of treatment, call to schedule an appointment with our team today.
Why Choose Bionica Dental Wellness for Pediatric Expansion?
- In-House Wellness Plan Available for Our Patients
- Overall Well-Being Considered When Determining Treatment
- Countless Patient Reviews Emphasizing Satisfaction
What is Pediatric Expansion?
Proper tooth eruption and the ability to lower your child’s chances of needing orthodontic treatment in the future are just two reasons why pediatric expansion is a positive and worthwhile solution. The process involves widening your child’s narrow upper jaw to create space for adult teeth to erupt.
Children are excellent candidates for this type of treatment because their bones are not yet fused in place. This means that by placing a palatal expander in the upper part of the mouth, it will move the jaw much more easily, reducing the number of potential problems in the future.
Your child may be a candidate for pediatric expansion if they:
- Have a crossbite or underbite
- Experience breathing problems or snoring
- Have crowded or overlapping teeth
- Have impacted teeth or those erupting ectopically
- Experience frequent ear infections
- Have a narrow upper jaw
- Speak with a lisp
How Does the Expansion Process Work?
Once a member of our dental team decides that a palatal expander is necessary, it will be affixed to the roof of your child’s mouth and anchored to their back teeth. The upper jaw’s two bones are separated by a midline joint that does not typically fuse until a child reaches pre-adolescence. When applying pressure with an expander, the two parts will move further away from each other, creating a wider palate and jaw.
In the middle of the device is a hole that a small key fits into. This turns the expander so that it will widen your child’s jaw over several months.
Depending on the recommendation of our dentists, it may need to be turned once or twice a day. While many children do not feel any discomfort, others may experience some slight soreness because of the pressure it can cause. You can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary.
Benefits of Pediatric Expansion
Although you may be unsure as to whether pediatric expansion is right for your child, meeting with a knowledgeable dentist can be exactly what you need to learn more about this process. We will go over the countless benefits your child can expect to experience, such as:
- The ability to breathe freely at night, which can lower their risk of developing sleep apnea later in life.
- A wider upper jaw that opens the nasal passage so that they no longer have to breathe through their mouth while asleep.
- No more overcrowded teeth, which means adult teeth can erupt in their correct positions when it is time.
- A healthy bite that is no longer causing excessive pressure on certain teeth or jaw joints. It also reduces the risk of developmental issues associated with their lower jaw.