How To Fix A Narrow Jaw In Your Child With An Expansion Device
Dr Meenakshi Rajcoomar has been practising as a dentist for the past 20 years and has developed a keen interest in orthodontics. This stemmed from the fact that, as a child, she had four teeth removed to make room for braces and ended up with beautiful, straight teeth.
However, in the last 10 years, due to the loss of space from removing teeth, Dr Meenakshi actually started to suffer from a lot of health issues. This led her to deepen her knowledge of jaw pain, sleep apnoea, temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders and how these are all linked to extraction orthodontics. As a result, Dr Meenakshi has become a fierce advocate of non-extraction, hoping that her patients do not have to endure the same health issues she currently has.
Below are some frequently asked questions about narrow jaw, crowded teeth and treatment options for children.
Why does my child have a narrow palate and crowded teeth?
Genetics is a good indicator of whether your child will have crowded teeth. Additionally, factors such as allergies, tongue-ties, and mouth-breathing can contribute to crowded teeth and a narrow palate.
Why does my child need expansion?
By age 7, the cranial base has already grown by 95%. If your child has a crowded mouth at that age, it’s a definite predictor of crowding. They will not just grow out of it.
What are the benefits of expansion?
Our treatment is not just to create a beautiful smile. By expanding the jaw, we are providing wider airways for your child to breathe through, and this has many benefits: reduced sleep apnoea, better physical posture, nasal breathing, and reduced need for extractions with orthodontics.
Will expansion be painful for my child?
The expansion process is slow and controlled, aiming to increase the jaw by 0.5 mm per week. There is a degree of discomfort, which can be well controlled with pain relief and timed expansions.
What is compliance like during treatment?
Once we decide on an appliance, the child gets to pick the appliance’s colours so that they can be actively involved in the appliance and treatment. I find that this increases compliance, like with any treatment. Compliance is essential, and a combination of guidance from the dentist and parental support promotes better adherence. Like all orthodontic treatment, compliance is key.
What sort of food can they eat during expansion treatment?
Most kids can eat everything during their expansion treatment. When the jaw is tender from expansion, soft foods are a good option until the tenderness subsides.
How long will it take to expand my child’s jaw?
Depending on the amount of expansion required, it varies on a case-by-case basis. Most patients receive 9 to 12 months of treatment.
How many expansion plates will they need?
It varies from child to child, but most cases can be achieved with one upper and one lower appliance for moderate crowding correction.
Who makes the expansion plates?
We work side by side with a specialist orthodontic lab that has been in business for 40 years, manufacturing expansion plates. This allows us to provide the best appliance for your child, based on their mouth.
Below are examples of some expansion plates that we have made for our patients.
3D Schwarz expansion plate
Tblock1 expansion plates
What training has Dr Meenakshi had to enable her to do expansion treatment on my child?
After completing her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree, Dr Meenakshi has received extensive orthodontic training from internationally renowned providers over 5 years. She is proficient in early intervention orthodontics, aligners and fixed orthodontics. Her special interest is early intervention orthodontics to achieve non-extraction outcomes.
Why is it good to have expansion treatment at Smile In Style?
Smile In Style offers comprehensive dental care, including general and hygiene services, in one location, making it easy for your family to schedule dental appointments. Additionally, we have trained oral myotherapists available in the practice, should you need them for your child.
Will my child need to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist?
Most of the time, nasal obstruction leads to mouth breathing and, in turn, crowding, a low tongue posture, and a narrow palate. The expansion is intended to support nasal breathing, and working with an ENT will help us achieve the best possible outcome for your child.
What is the process to begin an expansion for my child?
The first step is to come in for an orthodontic consultation, where we gather information about your child’s mouth through photos, intraoral scans, X-rays, and measurements. This allows us to estimate the space required. Once this has been evaluated, we will schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings with the parents and review treatment options. At this stage, we can select colours for the appliance and place the order. It usually takes two weeks to get the expansion appliance back from the orthodontic laboratory, and the appliance can be inserted, and then we’re ready to go.
Will my child still need braces after expansion treatment?
Expansion allows us to increase the jaw size to a certain degree. We can control the positioning of the teeth, but it’s not as precise as braces after expansion. Some children have their teeth sitting in a naturally pleasing position, and the parents may opt not to have braces. In other cases, to achieve that final polished look, parents choose to have braces fitted.
If you have concerns about your child’s dental health or suspect they may need an expansion treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our experienced team at Smile In Style is here to support you and your child every step of the way. Call us today at our Moonee Ponds location on 03 8400 4104 or at our Sunbury practice on 03 8001 6021 to book your orthodontic consultation. Let’s work together to ensure your child gets the smile they deserve!
