Orthodontic Expansion in Newport Beach, CA
Helping create room for developing teeth, guide jaw growth, and support a healthier bite.
Orthodontic expansion can help create room for developing teeth, guide jaw growth and support a healthier bite in children and teens. Paul Sokolowski, DDS provides expansion treatment in Newport Beach, California, for patients with narrow arches, crowding, crossbites or growth concerns that may benefit from early orthodontic care.
Because expansion often begins while a child is still growing, Rita Daghlian, DDS and Paul Sokolowski, DDS work together to look at oral development, airway-related concerns, bite function and long-term orthodontic needs.
Wondering if your child may need a palatal expander or early orthodontic evaluation? Call 949-706-7006 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sokolowski.
Explore Our Expansion Services
Phase One
Early interceptive orthodontics to guide jaw growth and create space.
Phase Two
Comprehensive treatment to align permanent teeth and refine the bite.
Skeletal Expansion
Widening the underlying jaw structure, not just tooth position.
MSE
Maxillary skeletal expander for select patients needing more support.
MARPE
Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion for select cases.
Expanders
Palatal, removable, rapid, and Schwartz appliance options.
What Is Orthodontic Expansion?
Orthodontic expansion is a treatment approach used to widen the upper jaw, lower arch or dental arches when they are too narrow for proper bite development. Depending on the patient's age, growth stage and needs, expansion may help improve space for teeth, correct certain bite issues and support more balanced jaw development.
Our Orthodontics may recommend expansion as part of phase one treatment, phase two treatment or a broader orthodontic plan.
When Expansion May Be Recommended
Expansion is often considered when a child's jaw or dental arch does not have enough width to support proper alignment and bite function. Dr. Sokolowski may evaluate expansion if your child has:
Types of Expansion Treatment
There are several ways to approach expansion, and the right option depends on the patient's age, jaw development and orthodontic goals, including palatal expanders, rapid palatal expanders, removable expanders, Schwartz appliances, skeletal expansion, and advanced options such as MSE or MARPE for older teens or patients who need more skeletal support. Dr. Sokolowskiwill explain which option makes the most sense for your child's needs and growth stage.
Pediatric and Orthodontic Collaboration
Rita Daghlian, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist focused on prevention-first care. Paul Sokolowski, DDS provides orthodontic guidance for expansion, bite development and long-term alignment planning. Together, Rita Daghlian, DDS and Paul Sokolowski, DDS help families understand both the pediatric dental and orthodontic sides of early growth and expansion care.
Orthodontic Expansion FAQs
An expander helps widen the dental arch or upper jaw to improve space, bite development and alignment. The exact goal depends on the patient’s age, appliance type and orthodontic diagnosis.
Many children are evaluated for expansion around age 7, though treatment timing depends on growth, tooth eruption and bite development. Dr. Sokolowski can determine whether your child is ready or should be monitored.
Expansion often affects more than tooth alignment. Rita Daghlian, DDS may consider pediatric dental development, oral habits and airway-related concerns, while Paul Sokolowski, DDS plans the orthodontic expansion and bite correction.
Some children need braces or clear aligners after expansion to align the teeth and refine the bite. Expansion often improves the foundation, but it does not always complete orthodontic treatment on its own.