Orthodontics

A palatal expander, also know as a rapid palatal expander or palate expander is a common appliance used for patients who have a posterior crossbite. It is cemented on the upper teeth. There is a screw in the center that the patient turns to slowly widen the appliance. As the appliance widens, the crossbite is corrected. Patients will usually crank the appliance for 2-4 weeks, but it must remain in the mouth for 6-9 months.

A space maintainer is a metal appliance that is custom-made by your pediatric dentist. Its purpose is to keep the space open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place. Not every child who loses a baby tooth prematurely to dental decay requires a space maintainer. It is best to have a professional exam with a pediatric dentist to determine if a space maintainer is necessary. Baby teeth play an important role in the development of teeth, jaw bones and muscles and help guide the permanent teeth into position when the baby teeth are lost. If a space is not maintained, then teeth can shift into open space and orthodontic treatment may be needed. There are a few different types of space maintainers. Bilateral space maintainers are usually cemented with bands on the back teeth on both sides of the mouth. The bands are connected by a wire just behind the lower incisors. This can eliminate the need for two unilateral spacers. They are the most useful if there is more than one tooth missing.

Unilateral space maintainers are placed on one side of the mouth to hold space for one tooth. The space maintainer wraps around the outside of the tooth and is connected to a metal loop that holds the space intact.

Bilateral space maintainers are usually cemented with bands on the back teeth on both sides of the mouth. The bands are connected by a wire just behind the lower incisors. This can eliminate the need for two unilateral spacers. They are the most useful if there is more than one tooth missing.