Before you hit puberty, your palate, also known as your maxilla, was comprised of two bones that came together at the center, or the midline suture.

When looking at a mouth with properly positioned teeth and a healthy bite, you will see that the top teeth sit slightly in front of the bottom teeth, just as a lid fits over a box. Try to stay strong and confident. The xray was horrible! Palatal expanders, which move the parts of the upper jaw laterally to correct crossbites will create more room so that the front teeth can be retracted into position. This treatment is usually recommended for younger patients, preferably those under the age of 16.

But if she's just annoyed, and if her answer to other things tends to me "I don't like this and I want something different, then I'd consider some combination of "Buck up, honey, it will be okay in a few days" and "How about a special treat like a movie?" but you being buffeted about by her unhappiness won't help anything.

Even after desired expansion is achieved, the expander will likely need to stay in place for a while to allow the palate to stabilize and bone to form in the gap.

Keep telling her that she will get used to it, because she will. Like most treatment programs, there are some shortcomings associated with palate expanders for which you need to be aware before you choose this option. Tuesdays and Thursdays we are available by phone and email. Dr. Diane Minich answered.

It can also cause jaw pain, sensitive teeth, and headaches. are added to the biting surface of back teeth.

Probably not: A palatal expander is used to treat a crossbite involving the back teeth. If she continues to try to pressure you, set some limits on what you are willing to listen to, like allow her 30 minutes a day to complain, and then she has to stop. Like B, I dealt with braces with rubber bands, which were painful, lots of pulled teeth, wires poking through with cheek scarring, etc. Initially, your child’s palate expander may feel awkward, especially when eating and talking. It was the summer before senior year that they finally came out. Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute!

that would be cemented to some of your child’s upper molar teeth. A palate expander is one option and can be a first phase of orthodontic treatment for kids as young as 6 years of age. Ask your orthodontic specialist for "what and why.". Please do not give her any false hope that you might have this removed. How long has your daughter had this? When expanding the palate, the posterior teeth involved will undergo both tipping and translational movement. A palate expander is an orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw. I know it’s difficult but in 2 weeks or less you will have a new normal. She was very upset about it all to begin with (like your daughter) and there was some drama (we weren't even allowed to look at her, for fear of setting her off) .. but she got over it. His teeth are simply crowded (crooked) in a couple of spots in the front - so it's more cosmetic, compared to a problem with how his mouth/bite sits. My youngest son had an expander a few years ago and it took a few days for him to adapt to it. To learn more, please visit our. You've mentioned she is a very picky eater, and I think my answer would depend on whether this is her personality type and something you want to break her of (because we can't always have everything so perfect and trouble-free), vs. true misery which should of course be addressed. When a crossbite is present, some top teeth sit in front of the bottom ones as they should, while others are positioned behind them. My sister's kids had them to correct their bite and jaw first from what I remember ... whereas my son has braces. A palate expander is one option and can be a first phase of orthodontic treatment for kids as young as 6 years of age. If she complained the first day of kindergarten that she was uncomfortable and didn't know the other kids and wanted to quit school, you wouldn't let her do that, would you? This treatment failed. (Treatable Cases), Does Invisalign Hurt? A palatal expander is an appliance that fits into the roof of your mouth (palate). Orthodontic Treatment Options Palate Expanders What is a Palate Expander? In addition to its great esthetic characteristics, Invisalign (clear aligners) has benefits like the ability to correct a crossbite in some situations. Hang in there and stay the course! It didn't correct things enough, so I needed a major surgery to reduce my bottom jaw, which involved cutting through the bone on both sides to remove a few millimeters of bone, having plates screwed in to hold the cut piece onto the rest of my jaw, and getting my entire jaw wired shut for weeks and weeks for all of that to heal.

You may notice some drooling or lisping as they become accustomed to the appliance. Take her out for ice cream as a reward for being brave, or get her a bobba tea (that seems to be the new treat all kids are into these days). She will get used to it. A dental professional should make this recommendation after evaluating your child. We offer a variety of payment plans that can fit your monthly budget. In essence, it moves bones of the maxilla that have n ... Where does the key for a palate expander go?

to grow in. TELEPHONE:

A crossbite is a common type of malocclusion and a common reason someone needs braces or other orthodontic appliances. Do you need additional guidance on whether a palate expander is right for your child?

Horizontal overbite (overjet) is a front-to-back problem.

This separation is enough to help teeth that are in crossbite move into their correct position without the need of opening up the bite further. A crossbite may involve only one tooth, multiple teeth, or all of them. My daughter was older when she got hers. Hopefully by the time the ortho office reopens, she will be used to it. Palate expanders are typically seen as an effective method for creating pace in the mouth before braces, and they are the preferred method over extraction of the baby teeth. They are not suggested for younger patients who may have difficulty with compliance. She can get through this with your help. The insides of my cheeks still has scars from it all and I'm 57 now. EMAIL: The enamel on your teeth may start to wear down, chip, or fracture. An overbite is a vertical discrepancy, overjet is horizontal, just to be precise, but I understand the popular terminology.

Many patients struggle with malocclusions (misaligned bites) that can affect their appearance, the health of their gum tissue, and the functionality of their bite. Palate expanders are often called a Phase-One or early interceptive treatment and are used to prepare the mouth for the braces in a particular way. As the palate expands, some gaps between teeth may appear, but these gaps will be corrected with braces. This treatment is usually recommended for younger patients, preferably those under the age of 16. The first few days of having braces or a retainer (or in my daughter's case, both, at the same time), are a pain, you eventually get used to it. Please tell me what does a palate expander really do? Don't let her think removing it is an option. Your daughter only thinks the expanders are horrible because she doesn't know how much worse it could be - she has no basis for comparison. Palatal expanders are usually done as the first phase in orthodontics in preparation for braces at a later stage.

Types Of Orthodontic Palate Expanders Bonded expanders Hyrax expander Hass expander Quad Helix expander Awww poor kid. He seemed to be leaning toward extracting because at my age (almost 16) a palate expander may not work. 240 Kennevale Drive, Suite 204 if i'd had the option, i'd have ditched them and to hell with my bugs bunny front teeth resting on my lower lip overbite. ). This is because children and young teens are still growing so their palates (the roof of the mouth) are still flexible because they are not fully fused. At age 26, I underwent treatment with a 3-way sagittal expander.

While wearing bite blocks only a few teeth of your teeth touch, so chewing is very difficult. Actually doctor, use an RPE with a wire (reversed curved or any) at your own peril, you will significantly traumatize the incisors. There really isn't an option. This growth modification device is placed over the roof of the mouth and is attached to the upper teeth.

My daughter hates her expander, and she wants it out, I am at my wits end, and I don't know what to do. A. J. The palate will constrict around the thumb and take its shape over time. Typically you’re looking at an investment of about $1,500 – $2,500 .

It really does expand the palate! Each time you make the turns, mark it on the chart.

About the food issue, is she the type of kid who might enjoy researching possible foods or recipes online she can make which are expander-friendly? He wore them for 6 months and then had 2 years of braces and was finished before 6th grade was over. or other orthodontic appliances. , the use of this traditional technique is eliminated. hold firm, ride the wave.

It may be necessary to not only move the teeth, but the jaws and palate as well. The palate expander is an orthodontic appliance that would be cemented to some of your child’s upper molar teeth. Consisting of two side pieces that are connected in the middle by a screw, the appliance is not removable and will likely be in place for six to nine months. Our son had the expander, and it took him probably a couple weeks to get used to it. https://simsorthodontics.com/palate-expander-vs-quad-helix/ (on this page, scroll down to where it says video). This can be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever. There's a Youtube video of it too your daughter might find helpful to watch - just makes it a bit less scary :).

These treatment options are time sensitive, as they will work best when used before puberty, and they are high-maintenance, requiring considerable attention and care when it comes to turning the key and cleaning. Parents will usually handle this part to ensure it is done properly. She also had a tooth in the upper palate of her mouth that required two surgeries and a chain attached to the expander. She will be fine. To get started, please type in a location or click the arrow icon to use your current location.

Extraction Primary Teeth Vs. Expanders 8 Year Old-longer Term Results Anyone. For instance, keep healthy, soft foods stocked at home, and offer pain relievers as needed (especially just before an adjustment.) The posterior teeth may extrude during the movement and thus raising the vertical dimension and lessen the deep bite as well. Is there something -- money, a toy, an experience -- if she can just give this expander a try for another week or two?

You don't say how old she is...my DD had one when she wa six and I told her it would take a few weeks to get used to it. The cost of a palate expander will vary, depending on where you live and which orthodontist you see. Parents will usually handle this part to ensure it is done properly. Don’t hesitate any longer, find out what a difference a new smile can make in your life. Avoid foods that could warp or loosen the expander like nuts, sticky foods, caramels, taffy, and popcorn. (Pros & Cons), What Can Invisalign Fix? If you (and she) want her bite and jaw to be healthy long-term, she is going to need to power through this adjustment.