Hyrax Expanders - Heath & Mt. Vernon, OH
Create Space, Balance, and a Healthier Bite
Good orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, and for children, jaw development is one of the biggest. When their upper jaw is too narrow, it can lead to multiple dental problems down the road, including crowding and difficulty achieving proper bite closure. Unfortunately, simply straightening their teeth won’t fully correct these conditions. That’s where Hyrax expanders in Heath & Mt. Vernon can help. At Wigal Orthodontics, we use this reliable device to gently guide your child’s jaw growth and prepare their smile for lasting alignment fixes.
What’s a Hyrax Expander?
A Hyrax expander is an orthodontic device designed to gently widen the upper jaw (hard palate) of a growing child. Because the bones in their jaws don’t fully fuse until later in life, this treatment works best for younger patients who may need care later on. It helps prevent future issues like crowding, overbites, and crossbites.
The appliance consists of a small metal framework anchored around the back teeth with metal rings. A screw mechanism sits in the center, allowing the device to slowly separate your child’s mid-palatal suture. Over time, this creates more room in their dental arch, making orthodontic treatments like braces or aligners more effective and stable in the long run.
How Does a Hyrax Expander Work?
The Hyrax expander works by applying gentle, steady pressure to a child’s upper jaw. The appliance includes a central screw that parents or caregivers can adjust using a special key, once or twice per day. Each small turn slightly widens the device, gradually expanding your child’s jaw and creating more space for their teeth to move.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an orthodontic expert to operate the appliance. Our team will guide you through its proper use, explain what to watch out for, and schedule follow-up visits to monitor your child’s progress.
Once the desired width is achieved, the device is usually left in place for several months to allow new bone to stabilize in the expanded area. This helps provide lasting results and prevents the jaw from narrowing again.
The Benefits of Using a Hyrax Expander
A Hyrax expander is one of the most effective ways to guide proper jaw growth in children, and it offers several important benefits:
- Corrects crossbites, underbites, and overbites caused by a narrow jaw
- Reduces crowding by creating more room for permanent teeth
- Enhances long-term orthodontic results, making braces or aligners more effective
- Provides a long-lasting solution when used at the right stage of growth
With Hyrax expanders, our team helps children in Heath and Mt. Vernon pave the way for less costly and effective orthodontic treatment, so they can develop balanced, confident smiles in the future. If you suspect your child may need the help of this device, or you just want to practice an abundance of caution, contact our practice and schedule a consultation.
