By about the second week of turning, your child will develop a large space between the two front teeth . This space always appears during expansion and will return to normal over the next few months. 7. Your child should avoid sticky foods, chewing gum and sticky candy.
Is an expander removable?
The two main categories of expanders are: fixed and removable . The difference between these two is that fixed expanders are glued into the mouth, while removable expanders are able to be taken out of the mouth, similar to a retainer.
What to do if expander breaks?
What do I do if my expander or appliance is loose? If an expander or banded appliance dislodges, push it back into place and eat soft foods until it is repaired . Please call our office to schedule a repair appointment right away. Do not activate the appliance.
Does insurance cover palate expander?
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 I turn my expander more than once?
The expander will be activated ONLY one time a day, for approximately 28-42 turns. Do not turn more than prescribed by Dr. Stormberg.
Can I eat chips with an expander?
To protect your braces and expanders, avoid HARD, STICKY, CHEWY , and CRUNCHY foods. ... Hard and crunchy foods can break or damage wires, brackets, and expanders. Sticky and chewy foods can get caught between brackets and wires, cling to expander plastic and bands, and pull appliances off.
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 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 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 long does it take to talk normally with an expander?
Initially, the expanders may make the roof of your mouth feel “full,” which can lead to concern about speech and swallowing. Rest assured that the “full” sensation is normal. With practice, both speech and swallowing will improve significantly within the first 24 to 48 hours .
What is the best age to get a palate expander?
The ideal age for a child to get a palate expander is when they’re young, around 7 to 8 years old . The palate is forming rapidly, so it’s easier for orthodontists to reshape. The palate structure solidifies as children get older, usually around puberty, making it harder for it to widen.
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 you need braces after 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.
Why is my expander not turning?
The two most common problems that can arise when having an RPE is that food can become trapped between the expander and the roof of the mouth or difficulty making the activation turn. ... However, if food does get stuck, you can swish or gargle with water, or take a cotton swab and gently wipe the palate of the mouth.
What happens if I miss a day of turning my 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’.
How long does it take for an expander gap to close?
Rest assured this gap will close by itself as soon as the expansion is completed. After expansion, the expander must stay in place for 6 months in order for the upper jawbones to grow back together and form a new suture.
