Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Our dental clinic located directly in Central London serves Orthodontic Expanders with our team of specialist dentists.
Our dentists serving Orthodontic Expanders treatments are registered specialist dentists in London, who are all registered with the GDC. Our Orthodontic Expanders treatments that we provide to City of London and Greater London Area residents are all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines.
You can feel welcome and safe choosing London Dental Specialists for your Orthodontic Expanders in London. You have a full team of dental specialists behind you with a periodontist, orthodontist and endodontist which enables us to take care of your entire smile with any dental procedure necessary for your perfect smile. Don't just take our word for it, watch this video including our real Orthodontic Expanders patients as a testimony to our expertise:
Contact us and lets get started with helping your dental health and comfort with our Orthodontic Expanders treatments, and we can set up a consultation in which we plan our how our Orthodontic Expanders in London can best serve you.
At London Dental Specialists, our expander treatments are designed to gently widen the upper jaw, creating the necessary space for proper tooth alignment and correcting issues such as crossbites and overcrowding. This process involves a series of carefully planned steps, beginning with a comprehensive consultation and assessment, followed by the development of a customised treatment plan. The procedure itself entails the precise fitting and adjustment of the expander device, which applies consistent pressure to gradually expand the palate. Post-treatment care is essential to ensure stability and optimal results, with our team providing ongoing support and guidance throughout your journey to a healthier, more harmonious smile.
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Principal Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) MSc(Rest Dent) MClinDent(Perio) MPerioRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 104071
Specialist in Endodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) FHEA MClinDent(Ed) MEndoRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 150517
Specialist in Orthodontics
DipDS Athens MS(Ortho) OSU
GDC No: 228487
Considering dental expanders for yourself or your child? These orthodontic devices widen the upper or lower jaw to create space for teeth, correct crossbites, and improve bite function. At London Dental Specialists, we understand you may have questions about comfort, treatment duration, and effectiveness. Expanders typically cause less discomfort than braces, with any pressure sensations subsiding quickly as your mouth adjusts. Our experienced orthodontists use palatal expanders to achieve proper arch width, often preventing the need for tooth extraction while creating room for crowded teeth. Below are answers to the most common questions our patients ask about expander treatment and what to expect throughout the process.
Dental expanders are orthodontic appliances designed to widen the upper or lower jaw. At London Dental Specialists, we primarily use expanders to address narrow palates in children and adolescents. These devices work by gradually applying pressure to separate the midpalatal suture, allowing for proper jaw development and creating space for teeth to align correctly.
The ideal age for dental expanders is typically between 7-14 years, before the palatal suture fully fuses. At London Dental Specialists, we recommend early orthodontic evaluations around age 7 to determine if an expander might be beneficial. Treatment timing depends on your child's specific growth pattern and dental development, which our specialists will assess during consultation.
Dental expanders may cause temporary discomfort rather than severe pain. Patients typically experience pressure sensations after adjustments, which usually subsides within 10-15 minutes. This discomfort is generally less intense than that experienced with traditional braces. At London Dental Specialists, we provide detailed guidance on managing any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
The active expansion phase typically lasts 3-6 months, depending on the amount of expansion needed. After achieving the desired width, the expander remains in place for an additional 3-6 months to allow new bone to form and stabilize. At London Dental Specialists, we create customized treatment plans based on each patient's specific needs and monitor progress with regular check-ups.
Dental expanders at London Dental Specialists can effectively treat several conditions including:
Proper care for dental expanders includes:
Fixed expanders are cemented to the teeth and cannot be removed except by a dental professional. They provide consistent pressure and typically work faster. Removable expanders can be taken out for cleaning and eating but require patient compliance. At London Dental Specialists, we recommend the most appropriate type based on the patient's age, condition severity, and lifestyle factors.
Many patients at London Dental Specialists do require braces following expander treatment. Expanders address jaw width issues, while braces focus on aligning individual teeth. However, using an expander often simplifies and shortens subsequent orthodontic treatment by creating adequate space for teeth to move into proper alignment. Our comprehensive treatment plans consider both phases for optimal results.
The cost of dental expanders at London Dental Specialists varies based on the type of expander needed, complexity of the case, and duration of treatment. During your initial consultation, we provide a detailed treatment plan with transparent pricing. We offer various payment options and plans to make treatment accessible. Please contact our office directly for current pricing information specific to your needs.
| Product | Brands | What it Takes Care of | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic Toothbrush | Oral-B Ortho, Colgate Ortho | Cleaning around expander | Specially designed to clean around orthodontic appliances and expanders. |
| Interdental Brushes | TePe, Wisdom | Cleaning between wires | Small brushes that reach areas around expander components that regular brushes can't reach. |
| Water Flosser | Waterpik, Philips Sonicare Airfloss | Deep cleaning | Effectively removes food particles trapped around expander components. |
| Orthodontic Wax | Ortho Wax, Euthymol | Irritation prevention | Provides relief from expander components that may irritate cheeks or gums. |
| Alcohol-Free Mouthwash | Corsodyl, Dentyl | Gentle rinsing | Helps clean areas difficult to reach with a toothbrush without irritating sensitive tissues. |
| Expander Key/Tool | Provided by orthodontist | Adjustment | Special tool for making prescribed adjustments to the expander. |
| Fluoride Rinse | Colgate Fluorigard, Boots Fluoride | Cavity prevention | Helps prevent cavities in hard-to-clean areas around expander components. |
| Pain Relief Gel | Bonjela, Anbesol | Discomfort management | Soothes gum irritation and soreness after expander adjustments. |
| Travel Cleaning Kit | Boots Orthodontic Kit, Superdrug Ortho Care | On-the-go care | Compact kit with essential tools for cleaning expanders when away from home. |
| Mirror with Light | Boots, Superdrug | Visibility | Helps with viewing hard-to-see areas when cleaning around expander components. |
| Soft Food Recipes Book | Available at most bookshops | Dietary adjustment | Provides meal ideas for days following expander adjustments when teeth may be sensitive. |
| Expander Case | Steradent, Boots | Storage and protection | For removable expanders, provides safe and hygienic storage when not in use. |
