OUR MISSION at Kieffer Orthodontics is to provide top-quality services to achieve outstanding results and beautiful smiles. Our highly experienced, professional team is dedicated to creating great experiences for our patients in a relaxed and friendly environment. We understand that every individual’s orthodontic treatment needs are unique. Dr. Kieffer feels that it is essential to provide our patients with a custom treatment plan that will perfectly suit his or her individual needs.

Dr. Kieffer continues to implement the latest technological advances in the industry providing our patients with top-quality care producing the best possible results. We offer treatment options for early treatment, adolescent treatment, adult treatment as well as Airway Assessment and Invisalign!

Guided Growth Development Orthodontics; Oral Function

Patients who have a narrow maxilla (upper jawbone) can develop a range of issues, including hindered facial development, crowded teeth, and nasal obstruction. These issues may increase an individual’s risk of developing sleep disturbances and airway issues. Children with narrow maxilla, conventional maxillary and mandibular expander treatments can be used to address this issue. However, the mid-palatal suture, which holds the maxillary bones together, becomes very difficult to separate between the ages of fourteen to sixteen years old, after which conventional maxillary expanders will no longer be effective. Unlike conventional expanders, which anchor to the teeth, the Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) and Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE) offer a non-extraction and non-surgical treatment approach for adults whose suture has fused. By connecting the expander to the palatal bones, we can separate the bones and likely make it easier to breathe through the nose.

Thanks to orthodontic advancements in the industry, this alternative non-surgical treatment option is also available for adults who have a narrow upper jaw. Maxillary Skeletal Expanders (MSE) and Miniscrew-Assisted Palatal Expanders (MARPE) are used to expand narrow palates among more mature patients in a less-invasive manner. The appliance is cemented in the palate and Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) are surgically placed. A wrench is then used for activation and effective expansion of the palate.

There are many benefits to the MSE & MARPE as they expand the maxillary bones to a more proper size, thereby increasing the volume of the nasal and oral cavities. This decreases nasal resistance and gives the tongue more room to sit upwards and forward in the mouth, making the airway larger. This treatment also facilitates better bite function and jaw alignment.