Most orthodontists will leave a palate expander in for at least 6 months . Some doctors will remove the expander at 6 months and replace it with a smaller appliance to hold the expansion such as trans-palatal arch or a removable acrylic retainer.
Can you have an expander with braces on?
While expanders don’t have to be used with traditional metal braces , they often are. The normal course of treatment is to begin with an expander by itself for a few months. We will use the expander as described above to correct the narrow upper jaw and make additional room for the teeth.
How long do you wear expanders?
Typically, an expander will be in place for about 9 months total time . This may vary from child to child depending on his or her needs.
Do I need braces if I have a palate expander?
Depending on your orthodontic needs, you may or may not require braces after wearing an expander . This is because braces correct the alignment of teeth that are already grown into place, which may not be necessary if an expander creates more space between teeth so teeth can straighten themselves.
How long does it take to get braces and an expander on?
Expansion takes approximately 3-6 weeks depending on the case. After completing the expansion, the bonding appointment for the brackets will be scheduled. To learn more about this, please visit our Getting Started with Braces page. The expander will remain in place FOR A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS .
Do expanders change your face?
Additional orthodontic work is sometimes needed in more severe cases. A Herpst appliance or a palatal expander can move the jaw or widen the upper jaw . ... The ultimate result is a new smile and, in most moderate to severe cases, orthodontics change the shape of your face – subtly.
Do expanders hurt more than braces?
Does A Palate Expander Hurt? A palatal expander isn’t the most comfortable orthodontic appliance, however, it isn’t very painful . The most uncomfortable part of the expander process is the orthodontic separators that are placed to make space in between your teeth.
How painful is a palate expander?
Will it Hurt? There will be some discomfort at first, but there will not be a lot of pain . The expander may feel heavy in your mouth at first, since it is something new and different in there. When the palate expander is widened, you may feel some pressure in your mouth and on your tongue.
Does palate expander break your bone?
Precisely, a palate expander breaks the upper mouth’s bone . No matter how scary does it sound, it is true. This reason is why orthodontists avoid elaborating people how palate expander works. An expander’s job is to separate the upper bone’s cartilage and the jawbone to increase the size of the mouth.
Do expanders help breathing?
Many children have narrow upper palates and need to be fitted with a Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) to expand the upper jaw properly. Numerous reports show that these expanders increase the size of the nasal cavity and improve the patient’s ability to breath through their nose.
Do expanders make you talk funny?
Altered Speech – When the expander goes in, the patient may talk a little funny and have a lisp. This is only temporary, and will usually last less than a couple days. The more the patient talks, the sooner he or she will get used to it and talk normally again.
Do braces make your lips bigger?
Side note: If you’re wearing traditional braces using a bracket and wire system, you may temporarily notice that your lips look bigger. This is due to the extra width created between your teeth and lips .
Do expanders give you a gap?
Expanders take advantage of the presence of the growth plate if they are used before it is fused. One sign that the expander has actually moved the two halves of the palate apart is the appearance of a space between the front teeth. ... The result is a visible gap between the teeth . This gap is normal and desirable.
How much do jaw expanders cost?
In most cases, a palate expander costs anywhere between $2000 and $3000 . Since palatal expansion is medically necessary, most insurance plans cover most or all of the treatment costs.
Can adults expand their palate?
As explained elsewhere on this site, palatal expansion is a simple procedure in children. However, the adult bone structure is set and can no longer undergo expansion unless it is assisted by a surgeon .
What happens if you forget to turn your expander?
Do not skip a day of turning the expander. Missing an adjustment may lengthen the time required for expansion . If for some reason you do miss an adjustment, it is very important that you DO NOT turn the appliance two turns the following day in an effort to ‘catch up’.
