Esteem Dental & Orthodontics
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13559 Narcoossee Rd
Orlando, FL 32832 ❯
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At Esteem Dental, we believe everyone deserves access to quality care. That’s why we accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible financing options tailored to your needs. Whether you’re planning for routine care or a larger treatment, our team is here to help you find a solution that fits your budget. We’ll work with you every step of the way—because your smile and peace of mind matter to us.
Watching your child’s smile develop is a journey filled with milestones, but sometimes their jaw or palate may need extra help to create enough space for adult teeth to emerge properly. Orthodontic expanders are specialized devices designed to widen the upper jaw or palate, addressing spacing issues before they become more complex problems that require extensive treatment. These custom-made appliances work in conjunction with your child’s natural growth to establish a foundation for a healthy, beautiful smile.
At Esteem Dental, our experienced team provides comprehensive orthodontic care for children at our conveniently located office in Lake Nona. Dr. Jordan Jones and our specialized pediatric orthodontists combine expertise with a gentle approach, helping children feel comfortable while receiving the treatment they need for optimal dental development.
How Pediatric Orthodontic Expanders Work
Orthodontic expanders take advantage of a child’s natural growth patterns to achieve results that would be much more difficult to accomplish later in life. These specialized devices are particularly effective because the upper jaw forms as two separate halves that don’t fully fuse until the teenage years.
Types of Expanders for Children
Different expansion needs require different types of orthodontic expanders:
- Palatal Expanders: These devices widen the upper jaw by applying gentle pressure to the palatal suture, gradually creating more space for permanent teeth
- Rapid Palatal Expanders (RPE): Activated by turning a small key on a schedule determined by your orthodontist, these create faster expansion for more severe cases
- Removable Expanders: Less intensive cases may benefit from removable appliances that may be taken out for eating and cleaning
- Fixed Expanders: Cemented to the teeth for continuous treatment, these provide consistent expansion without relying on patient compliance.e
The type of expander recommended depends on your child’s specific needs, age, and developmental stage. During your consultation, our pediatric orthodontists will explain which option offers the best approach for your child’s unique situation.
The Benefits of Early Expansion Treatment
Addressing palate and jaw development early provides numerous advantages for your child:
Orthodontic expanders may prevent the need for tooth extractions later by creating adequate space for permanent teeth to emerge properly. They can also reduce the complexity of future orthodontic treatment, potentially shortening the time your child might need to wear braces in adolescence. Additionally, proper expansion can improve breathing patterns and may help address issues like mouth breathing or sleep-disordered breathing in some children.
Expansion treatment can also enhance facial symmetry and profile, creating a more balanced appearance as your child grows. When the upper jaw develops correctly, it provides proper support for facial features, contributing to overall facial harmony.
Gentle Dental Care That Makes Kids Smile
Creating positive dental experiences for children throughout Central Florida. From first teeth to teen years, we make dentistry fun and stress-free.
Gentle Dental Care That Makes Kids Smile
When Your Child May Need an Orthodontic Expander
Recognizing the signs that your child might benefit from expansion treatment can help address issues before they become more complex problems.
Common Indicators for Expansion Treatment
Several signs may indicate your child could benefit from an orthodontic expander:
- Crossbite, where the upper teeth fit in the lower teeth when biting, often signals the need for expansion.
- Crowded teeth or insufficient space for emerging permanent teeth may also indicate that expansion would be beneficial. If your child experiences mouth breathing, snoring, or breathing difficulties, expanding the palate may help alleviate these airway issues.
Additional indicators include asymmetry in the bite or jaw, teeth that don’t meet properly when biting, or speech difficulties related to the formation of the palate. Our Lake Nona pediatric orthodontists are trained to identify these signs during regular check-ups, which is why early orthodontic evaluations are so important.
The Ideal Age for Expansion Treatment
While expanders can be effective at various ages, timing plays an essential role in treatment success. Generally, the ideal window for expansion treatment is between the ages of 7 and 14, before the palatal suture fully fuses. The specific timing depends on your child’s individual development and the particular issues being addressed.
During your child’s evaluation, our orthodontists will assess their growth stage to determine if the time is right for expansion therapy. We consider both dental and skeletal development factors to create a treatment plan aligned with your child’s natural growth patterns.
What to Expect During Expander Treatment
Understanding the treatment journey helps prepare both you and your child for the expansion process.
The Expander Process at Esteem Dental
The expansion process begins with a thorough orthodontic evaluation, including digital imaging to assess your child’s palate and jaw structure. Based on this, we develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Next, we take precise impressions or digital scans to fabricate a custom-fitted expander for your child. During the fitting appointment, our orthodontists carefully place the expander and provide detailed instructions for activation and care.
Regular monitoring appointments allow us to track progress and make any adjustments to ensure optimal results. Throughout treatment, our team remains available to address any questions or concerns you might have about your child’s care.
Adjustment Period and Care Tips
Most children adapt to wearing an expander within a few days to a week. During this adjustment period, they may experience mild pressure or sensation when the expander is activated.
Speech and eating may be temporarily affected, but these adjustments typically resolve quickly as your child becomes accustomed to the appliance.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential during expansion treatment. We’ll provide detailed cleaning instructions and may recommend specific tools to help keep the expander free of food particles and plaque. Avoiding sticky, hard, or chewy foods that damage the expander is also important for successful treatment.
Choose Esteem Dental for Your Child’s Orthodontic Care
At Esteem Dental, we’re proud to offer exceptional family dental care at our Lake Nona location. Our experienced team of dentists and orthodontists, led by Dr. Jordan Jones, ensures that children receive compassionate, high-quality care in a welcoming environment designed to make dental visits positive experiences. We understand that choosing orthodontic treatment for your child is an important decision. Our team takes the time to explain all treatment options, answer your questions, and address any concerns you may have. We believe in creating partnerships with families to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child’s smile.
To schedule a pediatric orthodontic evaluation or learn more about expander treatment for your child, call us at (407) 476-5650 or use our convenient online contact form to request an appointment.
Dentist in Orlando, Florida.
Esteem Dental A Proud Provider Of General Dentistry Services
Dr. Jordan Jones, DDS
Dr. Jordan Jones leads the experienced team at Esteem Dental, providing comprehensive family dental care to the Winter Garden and Lake Nona communities. With a focus on general dentistry, pediatric care, and orthodontics, Dr. Jones combines advanced techniques with a compassionate approach to ensure every patient receives personalized, quality treatment in a comfortable environment.
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The Esteem Dental team is honored to serve Lake Nona and all of South Orlando with exceptional dental care. Let us know how our dental team can serve you and your family. We can’t wait to meet you!
