Invisalign® Palatal Expander
Invisalign Palatal Expansion for Kids in Lake Mary and Longwood, FL
At Wiewiora & Dunn Orthodontics in Lake Mary and Longwood, we offer the Invisalign Palatal Expander as part of our advanced early orthodontic treatment options.
As Blue Diamond Invisalign Providers, our doctors have extensive experience using Invisalign technology for a wide range of orthodontic needs, including comprehensive and complex cases.
ABO Board-Certified orthodontist Dr. Cara Wiewiora can determine whether Invisalign palatal expansion is right for your child and create a treatment plan around their unique growth, bite and smile.
What is the Invisalign Palatal Expander?
The Invisalign Palatal Expander is an FDA-cleared orthodontic appliance designed to gradually widen the upper jaw in growing patients.
Instead of a fixed metal appliance with a screw in the center, it uses a series of custom 3D-printed expanders. Each appliance is slightly wider than the one before it, applying gentle, controlled pressure to gradually expand the palate.
That means:
- No metal expander
- No key turning
- No screws to adjust at home
- Removable appliances
- Custom 3D-printed fit
- Easier brushing and oral hygiene
It’s a modern approach to an important orthodontic goal, with an appliance designed around the needs of growing kids.
Why would my child need a palate expander?
A palate expander may be recommended when a child’s upper jaw is too narrow in relation to the lower jaw or there isn’t enough room for their developing permanent teeth.
Because your child’s jaw is still growing, early orthodontic treatment can give us an opportunity to guide that growth at the right time.
Signs or orthodontic concerns that may indicate a need for palatal expansion include:
- Crowded teeth: A narrow upper jaw may not provide enough room for permanent teeth to erupt.
- Crossbite: Expansion can help improve the relationship between a narrow upper jaw and the lower jaw.
- A noticeably narrow upper smile: This may indicate that the upper jaw hasn’t developed to an ideal width.
- Difficulty biting or chewing: Certain bite problems may be related to the width of the upper jaw.
- Chronic mouth breathing: In certain patients, widening a narrow upper jaw may increase the dimensions of the nasal cavity and support nasal airflow.
These signs don’t necessarily mean your child needs an expander. An orthodontic evaluation can determine how their teeth and jaws are developing and whether expansion would be beneficial.
Benefits of the Invisalign Palatal Expander
Traditional palatal expanders have successfully treated growing smiles for decades. The Invisalign Palatal Expander gives qualifying patients another way to achieve expansion with a different appliance design.
No Keys or Daily Turning
Parents don’t have to remember to turn a tiny key inside their child’s expander. Each appliance is designed to provide the prescribed amount of expansion as your child progresses through the series.
Removable Design
Unlike a fixed traditional expander, the Invisalign Palatal Expander is removable according to your orthodontist’s instructions, which can make oral hygiene and everyday care more manageable.
Metal-Free
There are no metal bars, screws or bulky hardware across the roof of the mouth.
Custom 3D-Printed Fit
Each appliance is digitally designed based on your child’s unique anatomy for highly personalized treatment.
Designed With Growing Kids in Mind
The Invisalign Palatal Expander was developed specifically for skeletal expansion in growing patients, giving children who need early orthodontic treatment another option for guiding upper-jaw development.
How does the Invisalign Palatal Expander work?
1. Evaluate Your Child's Smile & Jaw Growth
2. Create a Digital Scan
3. Design Your Child's Custom Expanders
A personalized series of 3D-printed expanders is created specifically for your child’s mouth and individualized treatment plan.
4. Gradually Expand the Upper Jaw
5. Continue With the Next Stage of Treatment
Invisalign Palatal Expander vs. Traditional Palate Expander
Both appliances can widen a growing upper jaw. The biggest difference is how they accomplish that expansion.
A traditional rapid palatal expander, or RPE, is typically a fixed metal appliance with a center screw that is activated using a small key.
The Invisalign Palatal Expander replaces the screw-and-key mechanism with a series of removable, custom 3D-printed appliances.
Neither option is automatically right for every child. Wiewiora & Dunn offers both traditional and Invisalign expansion options so we can recommend the appliance that makes the most sense for your child’s age, anatomy, growth and orthodontic needs.
What age is best for a palate expander?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic checkup by age 7, while their teeth and jaws are still developing.
That doesn’t mean every 7-year-old needs orthodontic treatment. In many cases, we’ll simply recommend monitoring your child’s development through our complimentary Wiewiora & Dunn Ortho Kids Club.
These observation visits allow us to keep an eye on their developing teeth and jaws and recommend treatment only if and when the timing is right.
If your child does have a narrow upper jaw, crossbite, significant crowding or another developing concern, identifying it early can give us more options for guiding growth.
What about palatal expansion for teens & adults?
The Invisalign Palatal Expander is designed primarily for growing patients. Once skeletal growth is more advanced, widening the upper jaw may require a different approach.
For older teens and adults, Wiewiora & Dunn Orthodontics also offers advanced expansion options including MSE and MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) for appropriate patients.
Why Choose Wiewiora & Dunn for Invisalign Palatal Expansion?
The technology matters, but so does the expertise behind it.
Wiewiora & Dunn Orthodontics is a Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider, reflecting our extensive experience using Invisalign technology. Dr. Wiewiora is also an ABO Board-Certified orthodontist with experience using Invisalign for comprehensive and complex orthodontic cases.
And because we offer Invisalign Palatal Expanders, Invisalign First, traditional expansion, MSE and MARPE, your child’s treatment isn’t based on fitting them into one particular appliance.
We can recommend the approach that makes the most sense for their growth, smile and long-term orthodontic needs.
Invisalign Palatal Expander FAQs
What is an Invisalign Palatal Expander?
Is the Invisalign Palatal Expander removable?
Is the Invisalign Palatal Expander painful?
How long does Invisalign Palatal Expander treatment take?
What age is the Invisalign Palatal Expander for?
Where can I get an Invisalign Palatal Expander in Central Florida?
As Blue Diamond Invisalign Providers with extensive Invisalign experience, our doctors can evaluate your child’s teeth, bite and jaw development and determine whether Invisalign palatal expansion is appropriate for their needs.
Find Out if an Invisalign Palatal Expander Is Right for Your Child
During a complimentary consultation at Wiewiora & Dunn Orthodontics in Lake Mary or Longwood, we’ll evaluate your child’s teeth, bite and jaw development and explain your options.
Whether we recommend an Invisalign Palatal Expander, traditional expander or simply monitoring their growth through our Ortho Kids Club for now, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what your child needs and what comes next.
