Braces, for many, symbolize a transformative journey toward a perfect smile. Yet, alongside the excitement of this new path, it is normal to wonder how it will affect your ability to eat the foods you like. “Will I have to bid farewell to my favorite candy bar? Will popcorn at the movies now be a distant memory? 

The truth is that you will need to make some adjustments to your diet to ensure your orthodontic treatment is successful. However, you might be surprised to learn that you can still enjoy many of your favorite foods. You might even discover new foods you like and healthier eating habits along the way!

Ask anyone who’s been through the braces journey, and they’ll likely tell you that every bite adjusted, every treat postponed, is all worth it for that final reveal. So to help keep you on track, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has created this helpful guide for what you can, can’t, and shouldn’t eat with braces.

Why Does it Matter What I Eat with Braces?

Braces consist of delicate components. While designed to withstand typical wear, some foods can compromise or damage them. Each time a bracket breaks or a wire comes loose, it can set your treatment back.

Aside from protecting orthodontic appliances, certain foods increase the risk of oral health issues when particles become trapped. This is because braces add all kinds of nooks and crannies to your mouth that aren’t there naturally, and can be a little more difficult to clean.

What You Can’t Eat with Braces

While embracing your journey to a healthier smile, there are certain foods you’ll want to avoid completely. Anything hard, sticky, or difficult to bite into can pose a risk of broken appliances and prolonged treatment. These foods can damage brackets, dislodge wires, or lead to other complications:

• Hard Candy: A risk to both braces and teeth.
• Sticky Candy: Taffy, caramel, and the like can adhere stubbornly to braces and may cause brackets to loosen.
• Popcorn: Those kernels are braces’ worst enemy and easily get caught in brackets and wires.
• Nuts: Their hard nature poses a direct risk.
• Crunchy Veggies/Fruits: When uncooked, there’s a risk they can break brackets when you bite into them.
• Pizza Crust: Especially when it’s crispy and hard.
• Bagels or Hard Rolls: Their density can be a challenge.
• Chewy Cuts of Meat: Make sure to cut meat into bite-sized pieces before eating it to avoid stressing brackets and wires
• Ice: Crunching is a definite no-go with braces.
• Snack Chips & Pretzels: Any kind of hard or crunchy food may cause your bracket to break or cause damage to your wires.

Foods That Are Always Safe for Braces

New braces often equate to a sensitive mouth. If you can eat normally, that’s great; it can help your sore teeth feel better faster. If not, you may want to try eating soft, gentle foods that help minimize discomfort as your teeth adjust:

• Oatmeal: This comforting choice isn’t just soothing; it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
• Scrambled Eggs: Easy to chew, they offer the protein your body craves.
• Soups: Warm, comforting, and varied.
• Pasta: Opt for softer-cooked shapes.
• Seafood: Particularly fish varieties that flake easily.
• Soft Vegetables: Steamed or boiled, they’re packed with vital nutrients.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, filling, and utterly comforting.
• Pizza: In general, this is soft enough to eat with braces. Just make sure to get pizzas with softer crusts.
• Soft Cheeses: Delicious, calcium-rich, and perfect for those with braces.
• Bananas: A great option for those undergoing treatment with braces.
• Berries: Packed with nutrients, many berries make a great snack choice that’s both sweet and easy on brackets and wires.
• Yogurt: Creamy and versatile, perfect for any time of the day.
• Chocolate: You don’t need to give up this sweet treat with braces. Most chocolates are soft enough to be eaten without issue.
• Ice Cream: Cold treats are not only comforting, but the cold also helps relieve some of the pressure caused by the wires.

10 Essential Tips for Eating with Braces

Embarking on your orthodontic journey can be an exciting experience. Yet, it brings along a set of nuances, especially regarding your diet. Adjusting to eating with braces doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some expert-approved tips to make the process smoother and more comfortable:

1. Start Small: Initially, cut your food into small pieces. This minimizes the need to bite directly with your front teeth, which can be sensitive or risky with new braces.
2. Go Soft: Opt for softer foods right after tightening your braces. Think mashed potatoes, yogurts, and smoothies. These foods require less chewing and put minimal pressure on your braces.
3. Sidestep Stickiness: Sticky foods can adhere to your braces, making it challenging to clean them.
4. Chew with Care: Slow down and chew your food gently. Braces can be delicate, and aggressive chewing might dislodge a bracket or distort a wire.
5. Beware of Crunch and Crisp: Hard foods might damage the brackets or wires. It’s best to cook, steam, or bake these to a softer consistency or cut them into manageable slices.
6. Swish and Rinse: After eating, swishing water around your mouth is beneficial to dislodge any food particles stuck in or around your braces. This prevents plaque build-up and staining.
7. Invest in the Right Tools: Carry a travel toothbrush or invest in a water flosser. Brushing and flossing can be a lifesaver, ensuring your braces remain clean, especially after meals.
8. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water throughout the day helps keep you hydrated and keeps your mouth clean. It helps rinse away food debris and acidic residues.
9. Listen to Your Orthodontist: Your orthodontist will provide specific guidelines about avoiding foods and ways to take care of your braces. Their advice is based on years of experience and knowledge, so it’s essential to follow their recommendations.

Ready for Braces? Find an AAO Orthodontist!

Getting braces requires a few lifestyle changes to get the most out of your treatment. But hopefully, this guide has reassured you that your diet won’t change too much. You can still enjoy many of the foods you normally eat, just with a little extra preparation. Yes, some snack foods may be off-limits while you have braces, but many alternatives are just as satisfying. You may even embrace healthier eating habits as a result!

Ready to achieve and maintain that perfect smile? Find a dedicated AAO orthodontist near you and get the expert care you deserve.

The post What Can I Eat with Braces? A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

Navigating dental and orthodontic care for young children can seem complex, especially when it comes to the question: Can children who still have baby teeth get braces? If you’ve heard that your child should have all their permanent teeth before visiting the orthodontist for the first time, you’ve been misinformed.

Despite traditional associations of braces with older children and teenagers, there are cases where addressing dental issues at a younger age is not only possible but also crucial for long-term oral health. In fact, putting off a first visit to the orthodontist until all of a child’s permanent teeth are in could do more harm than good.

What Is Phase 1 Orthodontics?

A child can get braces even if they still have baby teeth. In some cases, treatment may be initiated when a child has a mix of both. This is known as “interceptive orthodontics” or “phase 1 orthodontics.” The objectives of early intervention include:

• Guiding Jaw Growth: Ensuring sufficient space is available for permanent teeth to emerge correctly
• Correcting Bite Problems: Some overbites, underbites, or crossbites may be harder to correct if treatment is delayed until permanent teeth have erupted.
• Addressing Harmful Habits: Like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which can affect teeth and jaw development.
• Improving Aesthetics & Self-esteem: by addressing noticeable dental issues at an early age.

Dental Development in Young Children

A child’s mouth is a busy place, and everything in the body is growing in the early years, including the bones in the jaw and face. Around age 6, the first permanent molars appear, followed by the loss of baby teeth as permanent teeth come in. Typically, this happens in a predictable, particular order, but problems with dental development can arise without warning.

The gums hide about two-thirds of each tooth and the bone that holds the teeth in place. This allows the gums to mask conditions that interfere with the emergence of teeth, making it important to schedule an orthodontic appointment before all permanent teeth are in.

Early or late loss of baby teeth can signal a problem and cause trouble with chewing, biting, or speaking. Not addressing these issues until a child has all their permanent teeth could complicate the treatment process. If you notice these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a trusted AAO orthodontist right away.

The Importance of a Healthy Bite

A central goal of orthodontic treatment is to ensure the bite is aligned properly, meaning that the upper and lower teeth fit together like interlocking gears.  With incorrect alignment, your child may have difficulty chewing, speaking, or biting. By catching alignment issues early and correcting them with braces or other orthodontic appliances, you can avoid long-term oral health issues.

Some children can wait for braces until they have most or all of their permanent teeth, while others may benefit from early treatment even with some baby teeth still present. These children might need growth guidance for the bones in their upper and lower jaws to create sufficient space for permanent teeth and correct bite issues, ensuring proper coordination between the jaws. To achieve the best results, their treatment should be timed to coincide with predictable stages of dental development and physical growth.

Beyond the health benefits, proper jaw alignment can help give you a beautiful smile regardless of age. To learn more about bite alignment, explore this AAO article.

If your dentist has not referred your child to an orthodontist, you don’t have to wait to schedule an appointment; Orthodontists do not require a referral to see your child.

When Should Your Child Visit the Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children first visit an orthodontist no later than age 7. If a problem is detected and treatment is advised, the orthodontist can provide your child with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

To answer the question that headlines this article, you don’t have to wait until your child loses all their baby teeth to consult an orthodontist. Even if your child is younger than 7, they should see an orthodontist as soon as you suspect a problem with their dental development. Many orthodontists offer a free or low-cost initial consultation.

Regardless of your age, there’s no time like the present to talk to an orthodontist about creating a healthy bite and getting the smile you’ve always wanted. Locate AAO orthodontists through Find an Orthodontist and schedule an appointment today.

The post Can You Get Braces with Baby Teeth? A Guide to Early Orthodontics appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

What are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners offer an aesthetic alternative to traditional metal braces. Unlike  the  brackets and wires of braces, clear aligners are virtually invisible and are made from smooth, transparent, medical-grade plastic. They are custom-fitted to wrap snugly around the teeth, ensuring comfort and improved esthetics.

Unlike fixed traditional braces, clear aligners can be removed to allow you to maintain your usual diet and hygiene routine. However, for best results, it’s critical to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day or as prescribed by your orthodontist.

How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Like traditional braces, aligners are designed to shift your teeth into their desired position gently. Before starting treatment, your orthodontist will check your teeth and jaws using X-rays, photos, and digital scans. With the information gathered, your doctor will provide a diagnosis before designing your smile and treatment plan in the aligner software. This details which tooth moves where and in what order, guiding your teeth into healthy positions.

Clear aligners aim to create a healthy bite by repositioning all teeth, not just the few that are seen when you smile. It is important to remember that moving teeth is a complex biological process and needs start-to-finish supervision by an orthodontist.

Finally,  aligners are created using your initial impressions or digital scans as the starting point. On average, each set of aligners is worn for a week or two before switching to the next set. The total number of aligners will depend on your specific needs. Wearing them consistently and as instructed by your orthodontist will help insure your teeth reach their ideal positions.

The Advantages of Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear aligner therapy offers several advantages over traditional braces. These benefits contribute to this treatment method’s rising popularity among patients and orthodontists:

Aesthetics

One of the most compelling advantages of clear aligners is their near invisibility. Made from clear, BPA-free plastic, they are far less noticeable than metal braces. This aesthetic appeal is particularly valued by adults and teens who may be self-conscious about the appearance of traditional braces.

Comfort

Aligners are smooth and custom-made to fit directly over your teeth minimizing discomfort.

Improved Oral Hygiene

The removability of clear aligners is a significant advantage when it comes to oral hygiene. Unlike fixed braces, aligners can be removed for brushing and flossing, allowing you to maintain a more effective oral hygiene routine. This removability also means there are no food restrictions, as there are no wires or brackets that food can get caught in or break.

Treatment Time and Flexibility

For many patients, clear aligner therapy can be faster than traditional braces, depending on the case’s complexity. Aligners move teeth precisely and efficiently to reduce treatment time, and can be removed to offer flexibility not possible with braces.

What Are the Limitations of Clear Aligners?

Clear aligner therapy has many benefits but may not work for all orthodontic issues. Depending on your specific case, braces may be necessary.

Clear aligners may not work as predictably for severe malocclusions, significant tooth rotations, and large gaps. Traditional braces may offer more precision in these cases. Secondly, the success of clear aligner treatment heavily relies on your compliance. Since they’re removable, inconsistent aligner wear can hinder your progress, extending the length of treatment or compromising the results.

Aligners can trap liquids and food particles against the teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Best Practices for Clear Aligner Treatment

To ensure the best results, there are a few critical best practices you should follow while undergoing clear aligner therapy, including:

• Avoid any drink that is not water while your aligners are in. Liquid trapped against the teeth may stain the aligner and teeth, and can cause cavities to develop.
• When you remove your aligners, make it a habit to slip them into their case. Do not place aligners in napkins, a pocket, or a purse; keep them away from pets.
• After eating or drinking, brush your teeth thoroughly before re-inserting your aligners.

If you should lose or damage an aligner, contact your orthodontist immediately for advice.

Are Clear Aligners Right for You?

The best way to decide which orthodontic treatment is best for you is to consult an AAO orthodontist.  The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists who have graduated from dental school and completed an accredited orthodontic residency program.

Because of their extensive education and familiarity with the many types of appliances used to move teeth and align jaws, orthodontists can recommend the best treatment for your goals and lifestyle needs. Many AAO orthodontists offer complimentary or low-cost initial consultations, as well as a variety of affordable payment plans.

With an AAO orthodontist, you can achieve your perfect smile with ease. Find an Orthodontist and schedule your initial consultation today.

The post Clear Aligner Therapy: The Discreet Way to Straighten Teeth appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

Visiting the orthodontist for the first time can seem daunting, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Luckily, your initial appointment is simply an opportunity to learn more about your unique needs, ask questions, discuss your concerns, and receive expert treatment recommendations.

Orthodontic treatment not only helps you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of, but it also improves your oral health and dental function, which is crucial for effective chewing, clear speech, and overall well-being. Whether you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or a loved one, understanding the steps involved in the initial consultation can help alleviate any stress or nerves and set the stage for a successful treatment journey.

The first visit to the orthodontist lays the groundwork for your future smile. The comprehensive process is designed to assess your orthodontic needs and provide potential treatment plans so you can understand every aspect of your care. But what exactly happens during this initial appointment? In this article, the American Association of Orthodontists guides you through each phase of the first visit, from the initial paperwork and exam to treatment discussions and financial planning.

Preparing for Your Initial Consultation

To ensure a smooth and efficient first visit, coming prepared is essential. Whether you send these items via email or bring physical copies to your appointment, you should provide the following:

• Dental and medical history records, including any medications
• Dental Insurance information
• Associated medical professional information, including your general dentists and primary care physician
• Any questions or concerns you have about orthodontic treatment

Remember, this visit is as much about getting to know your orthodontist and their team as it is about them assessing your orthodontic needs. This appointment is your opportunity to gather information, ask questions, and establish a comfortable rapport with your orthodontist.

Visiting the Orthodontist for the First Time? You Can Expect These 7 Things

Your initial visit to the orthodontist is geared toward creating a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your specific goals and needs. During your first visit, your orthodontist works to lay the foundation for your treatment plan with a variety of techniques. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Introduction and Paperwork

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the orthodontic office staff, who will provide you with some paperwork to fill out, if you haven’t already completed this online. This paperwork is crucial as it gathers vital information such as your medical and dental history, personal details, any specific health concerns you may have, and your treatment preferences. These details are essential as they help us tailor your treatment plan to best suit your individual needs and ensure your comfort and satisfaction throughout your orthodontic journey.

2. Initial Examination

After completing the paperwork, you will meet your orthodontist for the first time, which begins with thoroughly examining your teeth, jaws, and bite. This exam aims to assess the current state of your oral health and identify any issues that need to be corrected with orthodontic treatment, such as overcrowding, misalignment, or bite problems. During this exam, your orthodontist may use several diagnostic tools, including:

• X-rays: X-ray imaging provides a detailed view of your teeth’ position, roots, and jawbones.
• Photographs: Your orthodontist may take facial and dental photographs to help plan your treatment and track your progress.
• Impressions: Molds or digital scans of your teeth may be taken to create a model of your teeth or to create custom appliances for your treatment.

3. Discussion

Following the exam, your orthodontist will discuss their findings with you. This conversation helps you understand any orthodontic issues the doctor sees and their implications on oral health. The orthodontist will also explain potential treatment options, including the types of braces or aligners that could be used and what you can expect during the process.

Now is also the perfect time to ask questions or express any concerns. Whether it’s about the treatment process, duration, or outcomes, your orthodontist can provide clear and comprehensive answers to ease your mind and help you understand the process.

4. Treatment Plan

Based on the initial exam and your discussion, the orthodontist will propose a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will detail the recommended course of action and which orthodontic appliances will be used. You’ll also learn about the expected duration of treatment, what outcomes you can anticipate, and any potential risks or limitations associated with the treatment plan.

5. Financial Consultation

If you have not yet discussed the financial aspect of orthodontic treatment, the orthodontic team will present the cost of treatment, available payment options, insurance coverage, and any discounts or payment plans offered at this point of your visit. This financial consultation ensures you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about proceeding with and paying for your treatment.

6. Scheduling

Once you’ve agreed on a treatment plan and discussed payment options, the next step is to schedule your upcoming appointments. This may include the appointment to begin treatment, where braces or aligners are applied or provided, or an additional visit for further assessments if needed. Scheduling your next visit marks the official beginning of your orthodontic journey toward achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.

7. Follow-Up

Depending on the complexity of your case and the specifics of your treatment plan, you may need to schedule additional appointments for further assessments, adjustments, or to check your progress. These follow-up visits are integral to the treatment process, ensuring everything moves forward as planned.

Take the First Step Toward Your Perfect Smile with an AAO Orthodontist

Your first orthodontist appointment begins an exciting journey toward achieving your healthiest, best smile. This comprehensive visit sets the foundation for your treatment plan, tailored specifically to your needs, and paves the way for successful orthodontic results. From the initial paperwork to the thorough examination, discussion of treatment options, and financial planning, each step is designed to ensure you are fully informed and comfortable with the process.

However, before the consultation begins, it starts with choosing the right orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) only admits highly educated, licensed, and certified orthodontists for membership, ensuring all members deliver the best standards of care.

Start your orthodontic journey today by finding an AAO orthodontist near you and scheduling your first appointment.

The post What Happens at Your First Orthodontic Appointment? A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

While this may seem harmless, fashion braces can have serious consequences on your oral health and may even worsen your bite and teeth alignment. In this article, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) explores the dangers of do-it-yourself braces at home and offers safe alternatives to fake braces.

What are Fashion Braces?

Fashion braces, as their name implies, are fake orthodontic wires and brackets that look like real braces but have no functional use in aligning teeth and jaws. Individual retailers are selling DIY fashion braces kits online, which include the “brackets” and “wires” and a dental adhesive to hold the fake appliance to the teeth. In more extreme scenarios, customers are visiting the homes of unqualified and unlicensed individuals to have fake braces applied to their teeth, which the internet has termed “basement braces.”

Fashion braces are only the latest addition to the rising online trends, following tooth gems and non-prescription glasses. Fashion trend-chasers are racing to get their set. However, even if they only appear real, fashion braces can negatively impact oral health, tooth alignment, and safety.

Are Fake Braces Safe? The Dangers of DIY

For those looking to achieve the metallic grin past generations tried to avoid in middle school, fashion braces can be a significantly cheaper option than the real thing. It can seem easier, more convenient, and more cost-effective to buy a DIY kit online and glue braces to your own teeth, but the health risks involved could ultimately raise the price tag. After all, if fashion brackets don’t fall off on their own, you may need to visit a dentist to get them (or the adhesives they can leave behind) professionally removed. And this is just one possible consequence. If you’re considering fashion braces, it’s essential to be aware of these serious health risks:

Uncontrolled Tooth Movements

Even though they are not designed or applied in a way that makes them functional orthodontic appliances, fashion braces are still glued and cured to your teeth. This applied pressure can naturally encourage your teeth to move, potentially leading to unwanted and detrimental misalignment and tooth damage. If this occurs, you may need to visit an orthodontist to correct the damage with real orthodontic appliances like traditional braces or aligners.

Poisoning

Unlike orthodontic braces, fashion braces are typically sold online by local sellers or applied by unlicensed individuals who have not completed dental school or an orthodontic residency. Because fashion braces are not made, sold, or applied by medical professionals, it can be difficult to discern their ingredients. Fake brackets and wires may contain harmful and potentially poisonous chemicals like cadmium or lead. These metals, if present in the product and in your mouth for a long enough time, can cause liver damage, cancer, and heart disease.

Choking and Oral Cuts

Whether applied at home or in someone’s basement, having an unqualified individual apply any appliance to your teeth comes with major risks of oral damage. The dental glue most often used for fashion braces is not the strong, medical-grade adhesive that orthodontists use, increasing the chance of the brackets or wires becoming loose and falling from the teeth. Loose wires or brackets can scratch and cut your gums and cheeks, and if they fall off completely, they become a choking hazard, leading to dangerous consequences and potentially costly hospital bills.

Infections

Beyond the potential presence of toxic chemicals, there is no way to confirm the quality of the materials used to create fashion braces. Unlike the braces at your local orthodontist’s office, fake braces are not made or manufactured from medical-grade materials in sterile and safe environments.  Low-quality materials can raise the risk of oral infection, especially if the fashion braces cut or irritate your gums and oral tissues. In fact, Thailand banned fake braces in 2018 after they caused infections that led to the deaths of two adolescents. Authorities found that the infections occurred when heavy metals seeped from the appliance into oral tissues.

The Scary Reality of Do It Yourself Braces

While the trend of fashion braces has gained traction on social media, attempts to straighten teeth at home have been happening for years. Do it yourself orthodontics might seem like a simple, cost-effective solution, but it can come with serious consequences. One example is an 8-year-old boy whose DIY attempt appeared to work initially but resulted in costly complications.

The boy used a rubber band to close the gap between his front teeth, but when the rubber band disappeared, he assumed it had broken and fallen out. In reality, it had slipped under his gums, causing pain, swelling, and, ultimately, the loss of both front teeth.

After nearly four years of treatment, orthodontists were able to repair the damage, but the boy’s experience is a strong reminder of the dangers of DIY braces.

Safe Ways to Straighten Teeth

While it’s exciting to see young people embracing the braces look, that doesn’t mean that fashion braces are the best option. After all, just because you see something on the internet doesn’t mean you should join in. 

Not only can fashion braces have serious consequences for your oral health, but because they’re cosmetic-only, they won’t give you the beautiful smile that typically comes with braces. The only truly safe way to achieve the brace-face look and maintain or enhance your oral health is through orthodontic treatment with a qualified dental professional.

If you’re considering fashion braces, we recommend visiting an AAO orthodontist instead, as they can provide you with tailored recommendations and plenty of braces colors to help you achieve both your unique aesthetic and a healthy smile. Plus, there are a variety of braces types to help you customize your look while correcting any tooth or jaw alignment issues:

• Traditional braces are known for their efficiency and affordability. They consist of metal brackets and wires that guide the teeth into the correct positions. These brackets can be customized with a wide variety of colors.
• Ceramic braces provide an almost invisible look, blending in with your teeth seamlessly.
• Designer braces can add fun accents to your appearance with special shapes like stars, hearts, and even sports-themed designs. They are still an effective and safe solution that can help you achieve the exact look you’re going for.

No matter your motivation for seeking orthodontic care, we recommend going the safe route and discussing your needs with an AAO orthodontist.

Join the Braces Trend with an AAO Orthodontist

If you’re browsing for the perfect fashion braces kit, pause your search and think about the potential side effects. Is the trendy look really worth the risk? After all, potential poisoning, infections, oral damage, tooth decay, and unintended tooth movement can have serious long-term impacts on your health and your smile. 

The safest way to apply braces is through a professional. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is an orthodontist-exclusive organization, meaning that only orthodontists who have completed the additional 2-3 years of postdoctoral orthodontic education beyond dental school are admitted. When you visit an AAO orthodontist for treatment, they will work with you to provide safe and effective treatment options to achieve your desired look while creating a healthy, beautiful smile.

To explore your braces options and find a safe alternative to fashion braces, schedule a consultation with an AAO orthodontist today.

The post The Rise of Fashion Braces: Why You Should Avoid This New Trend appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

A palatal expander is a dental appliance commonly used to help address various teeth and jaw issues, known as malocclusions. Reasons why a patient might need a palatal expander include:

• Crossbite: Misalignment of the teeth, when the upper teeth are positioned behind the corresponding lower teeth when the jaws are closed. A palatal expander can correct a crossbite by widening the underlying bone, preventing uneven wear, gum recession, and jaw problems.
• Crowding: A narrow jaw can lead to inadequate space to align teeth ideally. The expander can create space for your orthodontic specialist to shift your teeth into their proper positions.

Who Might Be a Candidate for a Palatal Expander?

A palate expander is most commonly used to treat growing children and young teenagers. An orthodontist can determine the appropriate age for a patient to have an expander as part of their custom treatment plan by considering age, skeletal maturity, and gender. Appropriate use of expansion therapy can help, in some cases, avoid tooth extraction, tooth impaction, or excessive flaring of teeth.

If cases are not corrected with an expander while a patient is still growing, they may experience asymmetric jaw development, abnormal tooth wear, and bite problems, which can require surgery to fix in adulthood.  

The AAO recommends consulting with your orthodontist to determine the best treatment options.

Are There Different Types of Palate Expanders?

There are several different types of palatal expanders. Your orthodontist will determine the best option for you based on your unique orthodontic condition.

• Rapid Palatal Expanders: This is the most commonly used expander, comprised of metal bands or rings affixed to molars and connected by a metal framework spanning the palate. Equipped with a screw mechanism at its center, the RPE gently widens the upper jaw over time when activated with a key.
• Bonded Expander: Alternatively, this expander uses an acrylic attachment, which is permanently affixed with dental cement or bonding material throughout treatment.
• Removable Expander: For milder cases, this expander provides a flexible solution that a patient can remove for cleaning, eating, and other activities. It consists of a custom-made acrylic plate that fits the patient’s mouth comfortably and securely.

Are Palatal Expanders Safe & Effective?

Yes, these appliances have been used for decades to treat orthodontic issues and are safe and effective, especially when under the careful supervision of an orthodontic expert. There can be some discomfort as you adjust to your new expander, but it is minimal and only lasts for a short time. Expanders with proper care, cleaning, and regular checkups by an orthodontist are very effective. Palatal expanders are a fantastic tool in an orthodontist’s toolkit and may play an essential role in correcting your orthodontic issues. 

Visit our Orthodontist locator page to find an AAO orthodontic specialist in your area and set up a consultation today. 

The post What is a Palatal Expander, and What is it Used For? appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.