An expander is an orthodontic appliance that widens the upper and/or lower jaw. It's used to make the bone larger in order to fit all of the permanent teeth, as well as to fix discrepancies between the upper and lower jaw so that the top and bottom teeth come together properly. If the jaw is underdeveloped and narrow, it will effect the amount of space in the airway and will lead to sleep disordered breathing.
The idea of widening the jaw can sound kind of terrifying. However, it's actually straightforward and painless. The upper jaw is made up of two distinct halves that don't fuse together until the mid-teen years. By using an expander before this fusion occurs, we're able to gently separate the bones to make the palate wider.
An expander is responsible for facial and jaw correction, while Invisalign or braces will correct tooth positioning.
Photo courtesy of Zaghi MD and The Breathe Institute. No infringement intended.
Myobrace® is a removable oral appliance that corrects orthodontic, breathing, and myofunctional issues. It helps expand the arches of the mouth, as it puts light pressure on the teeth and jaws. It has a soft and flexible outer shell and a firmer internal core. The appliance also trains the lips and tongue to function properly.
Treatment involves using a series of removable oral appliances that are worn for 1-2 hours each day plus overnight while sleeping. We evaluate the following parameters to determine if children are candidates for Myobrace®: dental alignment, arch form, occlusion, facial development, breathing and posture, tongue position, swallowing, lips and cheeks, habits, and TMJ. Following this, we will measure your child’s teeth to determine which appliance size they will begin wearing..
In most cases, Myobrace® can lead to straight teeth and better function of the oral cavity. It also provides optimal facial development along with better breathing, particularly during sleep. However, we cannot guarantee the patient will not need braces or Invisalign in the future. The appliance works best for children between the ages of 4-8 years old.
Teaching the patient to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, retraining the tongue to rest in the correct position, swallow the right way and keep the lips together when not eating or speaking is stage 1. By focusing on correcting these oral habits that are causing crooked teeth and poor jaw growth, the child will have the best
Teaching the patient to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, retraining the tongue to rest in the correct position, swallow the right way and keep the lips together when not eating or speaking is stage 1. By focusing on correcting these oral habits that are causing crooked teeth and poor jaw growth, the child will have the best chance to grow their jaws to their proper and full size which allows the teeth to come in straight and often eliminates the need for braces later on.
Along with habit correction, additional arch development may be required to widen the upper jaw allowing sufficient space for the teeth and tongue. Underdeveloped jaws can result in TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, crooked teeth, and poor aesthetical appearance. Immature lower and upper jaws can result in a recessed chin, mouth breathing, poorly defined jaw structure, overbites, and underbites.
Due to the nature of removable appliances, compliance is essential. The Myobrace® appliances must be worn every day and overnight while sleeping. Patient co-operation and motivation is paramount when it comes to achieving optimal results. Depending on the child's individual requirements and compliance, final alignment may involve treatment with Invisalign or braces for a much shorter time.
Retention is the final stage of Myobrace® treatment and aims to ensure good oral habits are maintained, often preventing the need to wear a permanent retainer or wire for an extended period of time. Once Invisalign or braces are completed, a retainer is usually required to prevent relapse from occurring. With good compliance and providing
Retention is the final stage of Myobrace® treatment and aims to ensure good oral habits are maintained, often preventing the need to wear a permanent retainer or wire for an extended period of time. Once Invisalign or braces are completed, a retainer is usually required to prevent relapse from occurring. With good compliance and providing the correct oral habits are maintained, Myobrace® treatment allows for more stable orthodontic results and improved overall health
The Super Screw Expander functions the same as a traditional Rapid Palatal Expander, but it utilizes a different type of screw for the expansion. This fixed appliance is only available on the Upper Arch. The screw can be turned rapidly or slowly. This expander is used to relieve crowding, improve the airway, create more space for the tongue and correct crossbites on the back teeth. It frequently comes with sweep arms behind the front teeth to flare them forward and help with alignment.
The Lower Fixed Schwarz Expander is a time tested appliance that has been used for decades. This lower expander works for patients in the late mixed dentition and older. It is used to expand the arch and upright the back teeth to help create space to un-crowd the teeth and make space for all the permanent teeth to erupt properly. Finger springs behind the front teeth can be activated to procline and align the teeth as the arch is expanded. It can be worn with an expander on the upper arch at the same time.
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