We do quite a bit of palatal expander here in our clinic. it is a tool we use to widen the patient's jaw. It should be started in patients either before or during puberty to maximize skeletal changes. It helps alleviate crowding, improves breathing, and assists in creating a wider, more esthetic smile.
For adult patients, the choice is limited due to fusion of palatal suture. The MSE (Maxillary Skeletal Expander) can be used to expand jaws that is not possible with traditional expander. It can help patients with sleep apnea, or create more tongue space for patient.
It is most often followed by traditional braces to align teeth after jaw is expanded.
We are now helping kids to breathe better using TAD supported expanders which prevents OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Miniscrews Expander helps enlarge nasal airways and promotes nasal breathing, which helps to develop a better facial profile, and less dental crowding.
