Skeletal Palatal Expansion

Maxillary expansion is an effective orthodontic procedure aimed at widening the upper jaw (maxilla) to correct dental issues like overcrowding and crossbites and to enhance nasal breathing.

This treatment varies with age:

Young Patients: In children, the upper jaw is more malleable, making expansion easier. Typically, devices like palatal expanders are used to gently widen the jaw, benefiting from the natural growth process of young bones.

Adolescents: Teenagers may require slightly more force or different expanders due to changes in bone density during puberty. However, non-surgical methods are still commonly effective.

Adults: Adult jawbones are fully developed and fused, making expansion more challenging. Recent advancements, like Micro-implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE), have shown success in non-surgical expansion for adults. MARPE uses micro-implants to aid in widening the jaw without the need for surgery.

Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE): In adults where non-surgical methods aren’t sufficient, SARPE is considered. This surgical approach is necessary when significant expansion is required or if the jawbones have fused extensively.

Additionally, there’s an emerging connection between maxillary expansion and improvements in obstructive sleep apnea, especially when airway constriction is related to a narrow jaw. Expansion can potentially open up nasal passages, aiding in better sleep breathing.

In some cases, dental-alveolar expansion (expanding the dental arch rather than the jawbone itself) is adequate. A highly predictable method for this is the use of fully customised lingual braces with specialised archwires designed for expansion or constriction.

For patients seeking more information on these procedures and their implications, reputable sources such as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) or the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) websites.