Improving Alignment and Bites with Lower Jaw Expanders
Orthodontic Headgear appliances come in many shapes and sizes whether cemented in, affixed on teeth or worn externally based on the therapeutic goals each one’s specific design aims to achieve. One very useful tool in the orthodontic toolkit involves lower jaw expanders which provide their own distinct role in addressing crowded lower teeth, crossbites, and other positioning issues.
What Do Lower Jaw Expanders Do?
Lower jaw palate expanders get affixed to the back teeth of the lower dental arch as their name suggests. Their mechanism of action focuses on applying gentle outward pressure against the molar/premolar region, thus encouraging the overall mandibular basal bone to widen. Just like palatal expanders work similarly on the upper jaw’s structure, so too lower varieties function analogously to open up a cramped narrow lower arch for accelerated realignment opportunities on a broader horizon thereafter. The design consists of adjustable arms anchored on molars/premolars providing leverage to split the whole lower arch foundation bit by bit.
Benefits of Using Lower Jaw Expanders
There are many benefits acquired by using lower expanders under the guidance of your orthodontist:
Create More Room Relieving Crowding
- Allow Individual Teeth Repositioning
- Encourage Jaw Growth In Beneficial Direction
- Resolve Mandibular Anterior Crowding Faster
- Enhance Eventual Permanent Teeth Eruption
- Fix Destructive Crossbites Early On
- Facilitate Improved Later Occlusion & Function
Avoid Extracting Healthy Teeth Due To Crowding
Like their maxillary equivalents, lower expanders pave the way for more effective proceeding alignment methods by proactively removing constrictive barriers first.
Proper Lower Expander Aftercare
To maximize effectiveness of your lower expander while preventing injury, be sure to adhere to these aftercare protocols:
- Maintain Impeccable Oral Hygiene Daily
- Rinse After Eating To Prevent Food Debris Irritation
- Gently Brush Appliance Using Soft Bristle Toothbrush
- Use Prescribed Cleaning Agents Too For Appliance
- Inform Your Orthodontist If You Experience Any Pain, Soreness or Breakage
Avoid Sticky, Hard or Crunchy Foods That Could Damage Expander
With a few easy precautions, you’ll keep your lower jaw palate expander progressing on schedule through the planned expansion phases your orthodontist custom tailors to your specific bite improvement objectives.
Treatment Procedure of Lower Palate Expander
Getting treated with a lower jaw expander by your orthodontist normally involves:
Orthodontic Records Taking – Impressions or scans of your teeth get obtained to plan appliance specifics.
Custom Lower Expander Fabrication – A lab custom builds your adjustable device matched to your dental anatomy.
Cementing & Fitting Appointment – Your orthodontist affixes the expander on your back lower teeth and ensures comfort.
Periodic Adjustments – The expander gets activated little by little at visits over several months, progressively widening your lower arch.
Removal When Goals Met – Once adequate room develops, the expander gets removed for transitioning to braces, retainers or less frequent use.
Aftercare Guide Of Lower Jaw Expander
Caring for your lower jaw expander and mouth during treatment requires:
Excellent Oral Hygiene – Brush & floss thoroughly around expander.
Cleaning Appliance – Use soft brushes and prescribed solutions to clean device itself.
Protect From Damage – Avoid hard, sticky foods and sports that could break the expander.
Wear As Directed – Don’t skip adjustment visits enabling progressive widening through activations.
Monitor For Problems – Report pain, looseness or other issues promptly to your orthodontist.
Lower Palate Expander Treatment Cost Considerations
Lower jaw expanders range roughly between $800 – $2,200 considering oral scans/xrays, custom fabrication and fit appointments, adjustments over 4-6 months, and removal afterward. Though not insignificant, costs prove well worthwhile allowing more predictable realignment later through generating adequate dental arch room proactively early on. Discuss options flexible to your budget with your orthodontist.
A palate expander is typically used for children and teens who have a narrow upper jaw or palate. Some common reasons a palate expander may be recommended include:
Crossbite – when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This can make biting and chewing difficult.
Crowding – when there is not enough room in the mouth for all the teeth. This can cause teeth to come in crooked or impacted.
Breathing issues – some children breathe through their mouth because their nasal airway is obstructed by a narrow palate. This can lead to mouth breathing and snoring.
Preparation for braces – expanding the palate first can allow braces to work better later on.
Speech issues – some sounds are affected by a narrow palate and can be improved with expansion.
A dentist or orthodontist would evaluate the child’s mouth, take x-rays, and determine if a palate expander is recommended. The best time is usually between ages 6-15 while bone is still growing and responsive. Palate expansion is less effective after this age.
Eventually, removal of the lower expander gets performed once satisfactory arch broadening has occurred. Transition to more comprehensive braces or aligner options proceeds afterward to leverage the new arch dimension and eruption guidance opportunities created. With such a versatile kickstart established by brief early intervention using lower jaw expanders supervised properly, a world of dental and facial realignment possibilities open moving ahead on your smile improvement journey. Consult your 1A orthodontic orthodontists in London regarding whether a lower Jaw expander could benefit your treatment plan aims based on a thorough clinical exam, records and growth analysis in relation to ultimate treatment goals discussed.
