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A narrow dental arch, or a narrow smile, can lead to several complications, including crowded teeth, chewing difficulties, and bite issues.
Oral surgeons and orthodontists often work together to correct this issue through a process called arch expansion. This treatment involves widening the upper or lower jaw to create more space for teeth and improve overall oral health.
Here’s what you need to know about narrow arches and how an oral surgeon can help widen your smile.
Table of Contents
- Understanding The Dental Arch
- The Complications Of A Narrow Dental Arch
- Types of Arch Expansion Procedures
- The Role of Oral Surgeons in Jaw Widening Surgery
- Partner With AZ Max Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Mesa, AZ
- FAQ’S
A narrow dental arch can lead to various oral health issues, but it can be effectively addressed through procedures such as surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) or non-surgical orthodontic treatments.
Understanding The Dental Arch
The dental arch is the curved structure that holds and supports your teeth. It consists of the upper and lower jaw, also known as the maxillary and mandibular arches. These arches are responsible for maintaining proper tooth alignment and bite.
Ideally, the dental arch should have enough space to accommodate all your teeth without any crowding or misalignment. However, some people may develop a narrow dental arch due to genetics, childhood habits like thumb sucking, or improper oral and facial development.
The Complications Of A Narrow Dental Arch
A narrow arch can cause several issues that go beyond esthetics. Here are some common complications associated with this condition:
- Crowded or crooked teeth: When there isn’t enough space in the dental arch, teeth may overlap or grow in the wrong position, causing crowding. This can make it challenging to clean your teeth properly and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Bite problems: A narrow dental arch can also affect your bite, leading to an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. These issues can cause discomfort and difficulty chewing food.
- Speech difficulties: In some cases, a narrow arch can impact speech by altering the position of the tongue and interfering with proper pronunciation.
- Bruxism: When teeth are overcrowded, it can cause them to shift and grind against each other, resulting in a condition called bruxism. This can lead to worn-down or damaged teeth and jaw pain.
- Sleep apnea: In severe cases, a narrow dental arch can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition where breathing stops and starts improperly during sleep.
- Mouth breathing: A narrow arch can also affect the size and shape of your airway, making it difficult to breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth, bad breath, and an increased risk of oral health issues like periodontal disease.
Narrow Arch and Tongue Tie
Tongue tie is a condition where the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of your mouth is shorter or thicker than normal. This can restrict the movement of the tongue, affecting speech and swallowing functions. In some cases, a tongue tie can also contribute to a narrow dental arch by preventing proper positioning of teeth.
A frenectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that an oral surgeon can perform to release the tongue tie and allow for proper movement of the tongue. This can help prevent a narrow dental archif performed early enough, as well as improve speech and swallowing functions.
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your baby or young child, it is important to consult with an oral surgeon for a tongue tie evaluation:
- Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Trouble swallowing solid foods
- Speech delays or difficulties
- Crowded teeth, particularly in the front of the mouth
Types of Arch Expansion Procedures
Before recommending an arch expansion procedure, your oral surgeon will thoroughly assess your dental arch and determine the best approach for your specific needs.
There are two main types of procedures that may be used to widen a narrow dental arch:
- Surgically-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE): This is a surgical procedure where the oral surgeon divides the bony palate and places small devices called palatal expanders. These expanders gradually widen the jaw over several weeks. This is the most common option in older patients who are skeletally mature.
- Non-Surgical Arch Expansion: In some cases, non-surgical orthodontic methods can be used to expand the dental arch without surgery. This is the most common option in young patients who are not skeletally mature.
The Benefits Of Arch Expansion
Widening a narrow dental arch can bring several benefits, including:
- Improved aesthetics: Achieve straighter teeth and a wider smile.
- Better oral health: Easier cleaning leads to reduced risks of tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss.
- Functionality: Improved bite and speech functions, as well as increased airway space.
- Increased confidence: A wider smile can boost self-esteem and confidence.
The Role of Oral Surgeons in Jaw Widening Surgery
Oral surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating issues related to the mouth, jaw, and face. They have expertise in performing various surgical procedures, including jaw widening surgery, which is also known as maxillary expansion.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes incisions in the gum tissue and divides areas of fused bone, then carefully places a device called a palatal expander. This device gradually widens the upper jaw over a period of weeks or months. The surgery usually takes a few hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
Most people will require orthodontic treatment before and after surgery to fine-tune the position of their teeth for optimal results.
Partner With AZ Max Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Mesa, AZ
At AZ Max Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we aim to provide our patients with the highest quality of care and treatment for their oral health needs. Our skilled team of oral surgeons in Mesa, AZ, work with orthodontists to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
If you are considering arch expansion, contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards achieving a wider, healthier smile.
Our oral surgeons office in Mesa is conveniently located in the Superstition Springs Professional Center.
To book an appointment at our Mesa office, call (480) 830-5866 or complete the online inquiry form. We are located at 6755 E. Superstition Springs Blvd, Suite 103, Mesa, AZ.
FAQ’S
A narrow dental arch can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, trauma, thumb sucking or pacifier use during childhood, mouth breathing habits, and tongue tie.
Yes, a narrow dental arch can be widened through various procedures, including surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE), corrective jaw surgery, or non-surgical methods such as traditional braces or Invisalign®.
