Does your child have crowded teeth or does he or she always breathe through their mouth instead of their nose? A common problem for kids, especially in this country, is having a narrow upper jaw. The narrowness of the jaw causes crowded teeth and may be secondary to an airway issue. A palatal expander is an orthodontic appliance that fits up to the roof of your mouth. It is used to widen the upper jaw and create the space needed for the upper and lower teeth to fit together. Different types of expanders are placed depending on the amount of crowding and age of the patient. It is most often followed by braces to straighten out all the teeth.
