Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Orthodontic expanders widen a narrow upper jaw to make room for crowded teeth and correct a crossbite. A consultation with Dr Kia Papagalani, specialist orthodontist (GDC No. 228487), settles which type of expander you need and how long treatment will take.
Crowding is sometimes a space problem rather than a tooth problem: the arch is too narrow for the teeth to fit. Moving the teeth alone does not fix that. Expansion is the part of our orthodontics in London that creates the space first. Dr Papagalani assesses your bite to confirm whether expansion is needed before other treatment.
The wrong appliance wastes months. We diagnose first so the device matches your anatomy, and itemise the fee at the consultation so there are no surprise costs.
Expansion is often the first stage of a longer plan. Depending on your case, it may be followed by Six Month Smiles for front-tooth alignment, orthodontic headgear for complex bite correction, or accelerated orthodontics to shorten the overall time.
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Mostly children and adolescents, whose upper jaw is still growing and widens readily; adults can be treated but the approach differs. Patients often worry about how the appliance feels and looks, so we explain what to expect before fitting. To see how expansion fits with the other options, see braces and aligners: which option fits. If dental visits make you anxious, tell us when you book.
We assess your jaw and confirm whether an expander is the right tool, then set the timeline and go through any complications openly.
We fit the appliance to the upper jaw. It feels unusual at first and speech takes a few days to adjust. If further alignment is needed, we can combine expansion with fixed metal braces.
You turn a small screw on a schedule we give you, which widens the arch gradually. Consistency is what achieves the width.
A gap often opens between the front teeth as the jaw widens. That is a normal sign the expansion is working, and it closes during later treatment. We check progress at regular visits.
Once the target width is reached, the appliance stays in place for a period so the jaw settles, and we confirm the arch is ready for any further treatment.
We plan with 3D imaging, which shows the arch width and the space available before we begin. Your care is led by Dr Kia Papagalani, specialist orthodontist.
Expansion is usually followed by an appliance to align the teeth: fixed braces, or the Invisalign range from Invisalign First and Teen through Invisalign Full, Lite and Express.
An appliance fitted to the upper teeth that gradually widens the palate, the roof of the mouth, to create space for crowded teeth.
It depends on the device and the length of treatment. We give a precise fee at your initial assessment at our Primrose Hill practice.
It depends on the case. The specialist orthodontist sets the timeframe at your clinical assessment, including the settling period after the target width is reached.
Pressure after each turn of the screw is normal and short-lived. Persistent pain means the appliance needs checking, so tell us.
The specialist orthodontist confirms the type of expander and the duration at an examination. You can find more on what happens at your orthodontic consultation and how to book. If you are comparing practices, we can explain how expansion differs from other methods once we have examined your teeth.
Or call us on 020 7589 7792.
A consultation with Dr Papagalani settles how best to create space in your jaw and what follows: Six Month Smiles for front-tooth alignment, orthodontic headgear for complex bite correction, or accelerated orthodontics to shorten the course.
You leave with a written plan and an itemised quote that is yours to keep and use at any other practice. Arrange your assessment with the specialist orthodontist to confirm your requirements.
Call us on 020 7589 7792.
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111 Regent's Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR
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