Your Orthodontist in Heath, OH Discusses Hyrax Expander Care

As your little one’s teeth and jawbone develop, there may be certain growth patterns that need to be corrected. Therefore, if you notice that your child’s upper jaw seems to be narrower than the lower one, causing crowding of the upper teeth, then your orthodontist in Heath, OH says you should consider having him or her fit with a hyrax expander to correct the issue. As you continue reading, you’ll learn how this orthodontic appliance works and how to care for it properly.

The Hyrax Expander Explained

A narrow upper jaw can lead to crowded teeth, an overbite, underbite or crossbite (when one or more of the upper teeth misalign inside of the lower teeth). Since simply aligning the teeth won’t correct this situation, the hyrax expander is used to widen the upper jaw by resting along the palate.

The device consists of a bar that spans the palate and is anchored using rings that are placed around the back teeth. The expander works by being turned, using a special key, usually once a day, which gradually pushes the jaw into its correct alignment. This procedure is ideal to use for younger children, since their jaw bones typically won’t fuse until later in life.

How to Care for a Hyrax Expander

To make sure that your child’s appliance continues to work properly and stays clean, the following practices should be followed:

• It’s important that your child turns the expander as instructed by your orthodontist.
• Remind your little one to rinse his or her mouth and expander with water after every meal. This will help to flush away any leftover food that could attract bacteria.
• Be sure that when your child brushes his or her teeth, he or she cleans all around the expander, including the metal parts and screws.
• Finally, sticky or hard foods should be avoided because they can dislodge the expander.

Planning for the Future

By being proactive and scheduling an appointment with your orthodontist in Newark, OH when you notice any issues with the development of your child’s upper jaw, you can create a better future for his or her oral health. Furthermore, you’ll be taking advantage of the window of opportunity open to make such an adjustment before the jaw bone settles into a permanent position.

To learn more about the hyrax expander process, reach out to your dentist’s office today.

About the Author

A graduate of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Dr. Timothy G. Wigal has been practicing dentistry for over a decade. After earning his DDS degree, he went on to complete a three-year residency program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, receiving a certificate of specialty in orthodontics. Dr. Wigal combines his extensive training and years of experience to provide his patients with the absolute best care and can be reached for more information through his website.