Inland Dental Center Highland

From Dr. Dean Baranski, Inland Dental Center San Bernardino & Highland

Every week, I see patients with teeth that are sensitive to cold, edges that are wearing down, or small notches forming near the gumline. Many of them assume they’re brushing too hard or just getting older. Sometimes that’s true. But often, part of the story is space. When the upper jaw is too narrow, the teeth don’t fit together the way they should, and that can put extra stress on them over time.

That’s why I’m excited to now offer clear palatal expanders at both our San Bernardino and Highland offices.

What Is a Narrow Palate?

The simplest way I explain it to patients: the roof of your mouth is small. Your palate forms the upper arch that holds your top teeth. When that arch is narrow, your teeth have less room. They can crowd, tilt or meet your lower teeth unevenly when you bite.

The Signs I Look For

When I examine a patient, these are a few clues that a narrow palate may be playing a role:

• Worn-down teeth. Dentists call this attrition. The biting edges of the teeth grind down and can look flat or chipped.
• Notches near the gumline. These are called abfractions. They’re small wedge-shaped dents where the tooth meets the gum, and they’re often linked to uneven pressure when you bite.
• Sensitive teeth. Worn enamel and gumline notches can leave the inner layer of the tooth exposed, which makes hot and cold drinks sting.
• Dry mouth. The medical term is xerostomia. It’s common in people who breathe through their mouth.

Why Dry Mouth Matters

If there’s one thing I want every patient who snores or breathes through their mouth to know, it’s this: mouth breathing causes dry mouth, and dry mouth leads to cavities and gum disease. Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense. It washes away food and neutralizes the acids that cause decay. When your mouth stays dry, especially overnight, your teeth and gums lose that protection.

How Clear Palatal Expansion Works at IDC

We use a clear, removable palatal expander from Glidewell, powered by ProMonitoring. It looks a lot like a clear aligner, and there are no brackets or wires. Here’s what treatment looks like:

1. Getting started. We take digital scans, photos and X-rays. We also check for anything that needs attention first, like a cleaning or a filling, so your teeth and gums are healthy before we begin.
2. Wearing your trays. You wear your trays 24 hours a day, taking them out only for meals.
3. Checking in from home. With ProMonitoring, you send us two quick scans a month using your phone, so we can track your progress without extra trips to the office.
4. Check-ups as needed. If your progress calls for it, we’ll see you in the office between visits.
5. Finishing up. We take final scans, photos and X-rays, and you receive your final set of clear retainers to help hold your results.

Most treatment takes about 8 to 12 months.

What Does It Feel Like?

The trays feel like a tight plastic wrap around your teeth. For the first few days, your teeth will likely be sore. I tell patients it’s the same kind of soreness you feel the day after a hard workout. That’s a normal sign the trays are doing their job, and it fades quickly.

Who Is a Good Fit?

I’m treating both adults and teens. I’m especially looking forward to helping patients who have had braces or aligners in the past and want to take another look at how their bite looks and works.

This treatment isn’t right for everyone. Patients with a severe underbite, teeth that sit far too high or too low, or teeth that are significantly rotated may need a different approach. I’ll talk you through your options at your consultation.

What About Changes to Your Face?

You may have seen people online talking about how palatal expansion changed the way their face looks. Here’s how I explain it: to move teeth, the bone around them has to change shape. So it’s completely normal for bone to change during treatment.

I also want to be upfront. Aligners and expanders change the position of your teeth, not the shape of the teeth themselves. Your smile may not be perfect at the end of treatment, and we’ll talk honestly about what to expect before you start.

What If I Have a Medical Concern?

If we notice signs of a health issue that should be checked before treatment, we’ll give you a medical clearance form to take to your primary care physician. That way, your dental and medical care work together.

Questions Patients Ask Me Most

How long does treatment take?

Most patients finish in about 8 to 12 months.

Do I need braces or aligners?

No braces are needed. Your expander is a series of clear, removable trays, and you’ll finish with clear retainers.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’ve noticed worn or sensitive teeth, dry mouth or mouth breathing, let’s take a look. Call Inland Dental Center San Bernardino at (909) 384-1111 or Inland Dental Center Highland at Inland Dental Center Phone Number 909-862-2121 to book your visit.