What is a palatal expansion device? | Palatal expansion – You should know this!

What is a palatal expansion device?

The palatal expansion appliance is a synonym for a Hyrax screw as an orthodontic appliance, which helps to expand the upper jaw. The Hyrax screw consists of a screw that is placed in the middle of the palatal suture. From this screw four “arms” go to the teeth and are attached with casting clasps either to the molars and all premolars or only to one premolar on each side.

By turning the screw with a key, the screw is expanded and the four arms of the appliance are moved away from the palate. This causes the teeth to move outwards and the upper jaw is stimulated to form new jaws. Another form of palatal expansion appliance is the quadhelix, which is located in the palatal area similar to the Hyrax screw.

There is also no screw in the center of the growth plate, but four loops, which give the appliance its name. In addition, a wire bow is attached to each tooth on the palatal side of the quadhelix that is to be moved. The quadhelix is fixed by banding the first two molars.

Both palatal expansion devices (with Hyrax or Quadhelix) belong to the removable braces. Another variant of the palatal expansion appliance is the transpalatal distractor, which is only inserted directly into the palate and does not touch the teeth. It is directly anchored in the bone and is therefore not removable.

Reasons for a palatal expansion

But what causes the missing growth of the upper jaw? The factors for this are different.

• Most of this is due to the excessive use of unphysiological pacifiers and feeding bottles.

  Too large an attachment or too long use can cause the growth disorder.

• One third of growth disorders are genetic and occur without any malfunction.
• Another cause is thumb sucking. The constant sucking and pulling on one finger inhibits the growth of the upper jaw and causes malpositioning of the teeth and palate.
• Furthermore, restricted nasal breathing and thus permanent mouth breathing can also be a cause.
• Wrong swallowing pattern: Swallowing is a complex process involving many muscles. As the baby’s milk teeth erupt, the swallowing pattern of the child usually changes so that the tongue presses against the palate. If swallowing incorrectly does not make contact with the palate, the growth stimulus on the upper jaw is absent and the child is left behind in its growth.