Palate Expander
Palate Expander Appliance
A palate expander appliance is basically a device that causes upper jaw expansion. It can expand your palate to fix various issues such as overcrowding, crossbite, impacted teeth, and many others. A jaw expander or palate expander — along with most orthodontic treatments — is generally done during one’s childhood because that’s when it’s easiest to prevent malocclusion by using the body’s natural growth process. The idea of palatal expansion may be scary to some people, which is why we’ll give you an overview of all the information you need. Please continue reading for a discussion of palate expander for adults appliances and palatal expansion.
Why palate expanders are important?
If orthodontic troubles run in your family or if during the course of your regular dental check-up your dentist recommends that you or your child may need a palate expander, this can oftentimes lead individuals to wondering what is a palate expander? How can it help baby teeth come in properly? Can it assist with crowded teeth? Is there palate expander for adults? What does a palate expander cost? And are there palate expander alternatives? Or even what types of palate expanders are there?
What is a palate expander?
Some individuals who have gotten orthodontic work done before may never have even heard of a palate expander. This is not too surprising though.
Historically and currently, orthodontic appliances are being improved upon regularly. The 1970s was a massive decade for orthodontic appliances and technology, and as demand for orthodontics has increased over time, the profession has had to adapt accordingly (CRAVEN KURZ & RAFI ROMANO, 1998).
As technologies advance and improve, new products come on the market so even if you have never heard of one when you were getting orthodontic work done, it may simply have been because either you did not need one personally or the technology was not yet widely utilized enough for you to have the benefit of it.
But what is a palate expander used for?
According to Yordanova S. et al. (2011), an orthodontist will generally require the use of a palatal expander when the orthodontic treatment warrants an expansion of the maxilla, among other things. Furthermore, an expander is used in preparation for fixed appliances.
In simple terms though, a palate expander is simply to widen the upper jaw for children to allow their teeth to come in properly. It can sometimes also be utilized for adults to help with crowding in their teeth and in many cases is often used as a prelude to getting orthodontic braces or Invisalign. The reason for this is quite simple, if your jaw is in the wrong position or is too small and there is not enough space for your teeth, wearing braces will not help you. The space needs to be there for the teeth to move into before braces can be a viable option and so a palate expander will be used in some cases to help make space. Braces are then affixed later on to straighten the teeth if needed. In some cases, simply creating enough room for the adult teeth is all that is necessary, and your child will not need orthodontic braces later on.
Palate expander cost
Some individuals when they hear about the concept of needing a palate expander for adults as well as potentially needing braces may start to worry about the cost. Although a palate expander and the treatment associated with it can be between $2,000 to $3,000 your orthodontist may be able to come up with some solutions or suggestions that might help.
One of them is to talk about the type of palate expander you get as there are some different varieties which do different things and may be able to help give you the same treatment at a lower cost.
Technology is always advancing so that orthodontists can cater more efficiently to their patients’ needs. Your orthodontist may be able to tell you about multipurpose palate expanders that simultaneously perform multiple functions, such as disarticulating occlusion, protrude teeth in addition to expanding the jaw and do not hinder oral hygiene (Yordanova S. et al. 2011).
Palate expander alternatives
Of course, the only way to know for sure what will your palate expander for adults cost, if you need one, and what the best treatment options are as well as the type of palate expander you need is by talking with your local orthodontic office. The fact of the matter is that individual treatments vary so widely from individual to individual, you may find that your costs are far below the average. Alternatively, if you wait you may find that the delay caused them to be far higher.
The main thing that can affect the cost of your treatment is the speed at which you seek consultation. The longer problems are left untreated, the more expensive they become to fix as the number of issues can multiply. No orthodontic issue ever became more affordable by ignoring it. By dealing with issues as soon they are brought to your attention you can help minimize not only the treatment costs but also help avoid any other complications that may have arisen due to ignoring your treatment needs.
Some orthodontic offices even offer free consultations and you can discuss possible treatment options, the cost, and what will be best for you without even having to pay a dime to speak with an orthodontic specialist. With so much to be gained from a free consultation and talking about palate expanders and so little to lose, what is keeping you from making that call today and protecting your oral health?
What is a Palate Expander Appliance?
The palate is a technical terminology for the root of your mouth or your upper jaw. So it stands to reason that a palate expander appliance is a device that leads to palatal expansion, i.e., it can expand your upper mouth. This is mostly done in order to prevent malocclusion or bad bite. This procedure creates more space in the jaws so the young child’s teeth can grow out properly without overcrowding or other issues. The upper jaw grows out as separate halves that only join after puberty. As such, these separate halves can be separated and thus “expanded” before puberty to create more space in a child’s mouth.
Why do you Need Teeth Arch Expansion?
There are three primary situations that necessitate teeth arch expansion or palatal expansion.
- Crossbite: This is a condition in which the upper jaw is too narrow to accommodate the lower jaw. In this case, the back of the top teeth bite end up biting the inside of the lower teeth, which can lead to several issues. Palatal expansion can remedy this issue.
- Crowding: Sometimes, a child’s mouth may not have enough space to accommodate all of the permanent teeth that are about to come out. The dentist can generally determine this even before all the permanent teeth have erupted. By widening the upper jaw, the dentist can create space for all your teeth without overcrowding.
- Impacted Teeth: Sometimes the child’s permanent teeth can’t come out properly because they’re blocked by other teeth. Palatal expansion can make space for the teeth so they come out properly without damage.
- Cosmetic Purposes: Widening the upper jaw can also be aesthetically pleasing and ensures that the child will carry an even and perfectly aligned smile into their adulthood.
What is the Best Age to Get a Palatal Expander?
As mentioned previously, the upper jaws develop as separate bones until puberty, when they fuse together and become one. As such, orthodontists have a narrow window of time within which to carry out the palatal expansion procedure. That’s why palatal expander appliances are generally used in prepubescent children — the age limit for palatal expanders in girls is 12 to 13 and the age limit for palatal expanders in boys is 13 to 14 years.
Does Palatal Expansion Work in Adults? Will a Palate Expander Work at Age 23?
Yes, palatal expansion does work in adults as well. In fact, the mean age for adult non-surgical palatal expansion is 23 years old, so it’s perfectly possible. However, the results of palatal expansion are a lot more unpredictable in adults. This is especially difficult because of the presence of structures like pterygoid plates that prevent expansion. That’s why it’s important to discuss possible palatal expander alternatives with your orthodontist near me. In general, however, it’s customary for adult palatal expansion to be slower than that in prepubescent children.
Side Effects of Mouth Expander
Going through with palatal expansion can lead to discomfort and some pain. However, in addition to that, you may also experience side effects like headaches, excess salivation, gap in your front teeth, and difficulty of speech. This is completely normal and you should discuss it with your orthodontist — most of these are temporary side effects.
What’s the Duration of a Palatal Expansion Procedure?
In most cases, patients only have to wear the mouth expander retainer for about 1 to 3 weeks. However, depending on the severity of the individual case, it may even have to be worn for 6 months. This allows the bone in the mouth to develop better and assimilate.
America's Top Dentist
Palate Expander Cost
The average palate expander cost is hard to summarize because it depends on various factors like where you live and the orthodontist you choose. However, a typical palatal expansion procedure may cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Since this is considered to be a necessary procedure, you can get insurance coverage for most of the treatment.
How to Turn a Palate Expander Appliance?
The orthodontist will place the palate expander appliance in the child’s mouth but it’s up to the patient themselves or their parents to turn it regularly. Turning the palate expander is necessary because it widens the upper jaw. The dentist will give you a palate expander key that fits into the palate expander retainer. You have to turn the palate expander key to operate the device and turn it around, following the dentist’s specific instructions.
What Can or Can’t You Eat with a Dental Expander?
There aren’t a lot of dietary restrictions when you’re wearing a palate expander. However, you or your child should generally avoid things that are hard or sticky such as ice, corn, candies, popcorn, etc.
Get your Palate Expander Appliance Today
At Ivanov Expert Orthodontics, we have one of the country’s finest orthodontists who can examine your or your child’s teeth to determine if you’re suitable for palatal expansion. Based on that, we can give you access to affordable orthodontic treatments along with insurance coverage. For more information, please schedule your palate expander appointment today.
References:
Romano, D. M. (1998). Lingual Orthodontics. New York: BC Decker.
Svetlana Yordanova, e. a. (2011). Triple Action Palate Expander. Journal of IMAB Annual Proceeding, Vol. 17, Book 2.
Contact Us
IVANOV Orthodontic Experts
12866 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=154326063970645489
Call us at (786) 540-1919 to schedule a free orthodontic exam.
Five-Star Patient Testimonials
FAQs:
What is palate expander?
Palate expander introduction:
It is important to do our best to give our children a bright future. This includes the personality development of your child. Attractive and confident smiles are an important part of our personality. Any problem related to oral health, teeth or bite misalignment can have serious impact on your child both mentally and physically. It is important to look for early treatment so you can give a beautiful and attractive smile to your child, enhancing his or her personality. Orthodontic is a specialization within dentistry, which deals with the issues related to teeth alignment and bad bites, etc. An orthodontist goes through additional two to three years of training specifically in straightening teeth. Orthodontists use different orthodontic appliances. Many people might be familiar with orthodontic appliances such as braces, as they are one of the most common orthodontic appliances used in orthodontic treatment. But there are many other orthodontic appliances which are used for the treatment of orthodontic problems. One such appliance is the palate expander.
The roof of the mouth is known as palate. The palate expander is used for widening the upper jaw and palate. A palate expander is custom-made for each patient. It is attached to the back of top teeth and consists of two parts connected in the middle by a screw. A palate expander works when we turn the screw through a special key, which in turn exerts pressure to widen the palate and causing palate expansion. The pressure is applied gradually by adjusting the screw on daily basis. The dental expander is left in the mouth for a few months even after reaching the desired expansion helping in the development of new bones in the gap and for stability of the treatment and expansion.
Palate expander is ideal for children from 8 to 18 years as this is the age where our mouth, jaws and bones, etc. are growing. It is important to look for early orthodontic treatment as expansion in adults can be more discomforting and can take more time. It is important to take your child to a good pediatric orthodontist like IVANOV Orthodontics for effective and affordable treatment. IVANOV Orthodontic Experts is one of the best orthodontist in Miami. They provide wide scope of orthodontic treatments for children and adults.
When is palatal expansion required?
Palatal expander and expander braces:
Expander braces or palate expander are used in various orthodontic treatments, some of the reasons for palatal expansions are as follows:
- Expander braces or palate expander is used for the treatment of crossbites. This is the situation where the upper jaw is narrow and does not rest on the proper position on the lower jaw. This causes the upper back teeth to close inside of lower back teeth. Orthodontic expander helps to widen the upper jaws so your upper and lower teeth can meet on the right position.
- Expander braces or palate expander is also used in the treatment of crowding. If your orthodontist finds a situation where your child’s teeth does not have enough space in the upper jaws to accommodate the permanent teeth/ adult teeth, he or she might recommend the use of expander braces to widen the upper jaw to create necessary space for the developing teeth.
- Expander braces are also required for impacted teeth. When a teeth or tooth which is yet to develop or erupted is blocked by other teeth or tooth, the orthodontist might use an orthodontic expander to expand the upper jaw to create the space for the upcoming tooth or teeth.
How to find good orthodontist for expander teeth?
Good orthodontist for expander teeth or mouth expander:
Finding a good orthodontist like IVANOV Orthodontics for expander teeth or any other orthodontic treatment is important for effective treatment and results. The most convenient way to look for a good orthodontist is by searching through internet. You can use powerful search engines like Google. Try searching “best-rated orthodontist near me”, “orthodontist for expander braces near me” or any other similar search queries to look for orthodontic clinics near you. For expander teeth or mouth expander for children make sure to look for pediatric orthodontist by searching “pediatric orthodontist near me”. You can also look for orthodontist specialized in dealing both children and adults like IVANOV Orthodontic Experts.
Another good way of finding an orthodontist is by talking to friends and family members who have gone through similar treatments for their child. If they are satisfied with the treatment of the orthodontist and the clinic is convenient for you to visit, you can consult the same orthodontist.
You can also consult a family dentist or doctor to see if they can help you find orthodontic specialists in your area. If your child is going to school, choosing an orthodontist open Saturday can be a good choice.
I need more information on mouth expander?
Additional information on mouth expander:
Here are some additional things to know when using a mouth expander such as rapid palatal expander:
- Treatment time: Treatment with a mouth expander to expand the palate usually takes about a week to three weeks. But the mouth expander is placed in the mouth for around 6 months to allow the new bones to develop. If it is removed right after expansion, some of the space gained can be lost. You might also develop some spacing between your two front teeth but they will gradually come close after you stop adjusting your key.
- Pain: Once you start adjusting the key you may feel pressure and a little tingling, but usually no pain. This feeling usually goes away within 5 minutes.
- Avoiding certain foods: When a mouth expander is placed in your mouth, there are certain types of food your orthodontist may suggest to avoid. These may include sticky or chewing sugary foods.
- Food getting stuck: While the mouth expander is placed on your mouth, you might also face problems of food getting trapped between the roof of the mouth and the mouth expander. Your orthodontist might give you a few tips in keeping your mouth expander clean and ways to remove the trapped food.
It is important to help and support your child during the treatment of palate expansion. Follow the guidelines of your child’s orthodontist for fast and effective treatment.