Expanders
Palatal expanders are commonly used in orthodontic therapy. Palatal expanders come in two types; fixed and removable. The more commonly used expander is the fixed expander and it is often used to achieve orthopedic correction of the upper jaw by widening the jaw to fit correctly over the lover jaw. Because the window of opportunity for orthopedic correction closes in the early teenage years, it is important to be evaluated early.
Removable expanders are generally used for dental correction and not orthopedic correction. They can be used in both kids and adults to achieve dental expansion which can be used to alleviate crowding.