A palate expander is used to stretch the jaw so that the airway can be widened. If the opening in your mouth isn’t big enough, you won’t be able to breathe through your nose, which could put you at risk of other respiratory problems. Most children have their palate expander for adults removed once they have completed their growth spurt, but many adults need to keep theirs in place to continue breathing comfortably. Read on to learn more about what a palate expander does and why it may be right for you!
What Is An Appropriate Palate Expander For Adults?
Any palate expander that you can wear at night while you are sleeping is appropriate for adults. Typically, a child needs to wear their expander during waking hours to keep them in place. However, many adults find it too bothersome to do so and prefer sleeping with their expanders. For example, some women who want to address an underbite and open up their airway may find that they can sleep with their expanding plates easier than they can wear them while they’re working or spending time with family and friends. Consult your dentist or orthodontist before making any decisions about wearing your expander at night or day; an improper fit could be hazardous to your oral health.
How Does A Palatal Expander Work?
The expanding arch is placed inside your mouth and behind your teeth, and has a bracket attached to each end. Each day you add 1-2mm of space between each tooth by adding pressure to one side of it via use of a key which is connected to an arch that applies even pressure on both sides of your teeth. This will cause your palatal bone to expand over time in size, pushing forward and increasing how much room there is in your airway. Your orthodontist will create a custom mouthguard for you so that when you are sleeping, you can wear it as well to protect yourself from sleep apnea; however if you do suffer from severe apnea, your doctor may prescribe oral splints which need be worn during sleep instead.
Why Does My Child Need A Palate Expander?
The palate expander (and later, palatal expander) may look like something from a torture device but don’t let its looks fool you. This device is a safe and effective treatment option for many children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). You see, most children with OSA have what is called a micrognathia, which means their lower jaw is small in relation to their upper jaw. So to make room for more teeth and ease tooth alignment issues, we use an appliance to slowly expand or open up their mouth expander. The palatal expander moves your child’s lower jaw forward while they sleep by gently expanding their mouth bit by bit over time.
What Is The Best Age To Get A Palate Expander?
The most important factors in determining candidacy are: tooth eruption, dental maturity, and jaw size. Typically children around age six years old are good candidates for expansion. Expansion can be done between ages of 8 and 18. Expansion should not be done until after all baby teeth have erupted and any permanent teeth present in primary or mixed dentition (e.g., canine) are available to be used as anchorage.
How Long Does A Palatal Expander Stay In?
It depends on how fast your child’s bones are growing. Your doctor or orthodontist will schedule regular visits to make sure your child is progressing properly. Each visit, they’ll make sure your child is ready for a new size before ordering it. If you’ve ever had braces, you probably know how long they take to get in and out—and if not, brace yourself: An expander typically stays in place for 6-9 months depending on how quickly your child’s jaw grows.
Does A Palatal Expander Hurt?
No, a palatal expander is not painful. Once you are comfortable with an expander and become familiar with it, you will be able to put it in and wear it for long periods of time. Usually after about two weeks your jaw is adjusted to accept your new expander, at which point wearing one no longer feels unusual. If you have discomfort while using an expander, talk to your orthodontist as he or she may be able to offer tips on how to ease any pain or discomfort. Some patients notice some tenderness when they first start using their expanders, but that should not last more than a couple of days.
What To Expect When Wearing An Mouth Expander?
If you’re looking to expand your palate, there are a few things you should know. First and foremost, expect some minor discomfort. Your mouth isn’t used to having a foreign object in it. Typically, you’ll feel some pressure or soreness when you first begin using an expander. Over time, however, your mouth will adapt and these feelings will subside – though not disappear completely. They should be considered normal throughout the expansion process because they’ll fade with time (and use). The goal is for you to get accustomed to having something in your mouth 24/7 and feeling uncomfortable as a result of that 24/7 wear makes it easier for you to adjust and get used to having something in your mouth all day long without noticing after just a couple weeks of practice.
What Are Mouth Expanders Used For?
Mouth expanders are devices used to gradually stretch an infant’s or child’s mouth outwards. This is necessary in order to make room for dental work, like braces or dentures. They can also be used on adult patients to stretch their jaws so they can get dentures that fit better. In both cases, a mouth expander is placed into a patient’s mouth and then expanded daily until it reaches its target size. What Are The Benefits Of A Mouth Expander? It provides gradual expansion: Some patients may feel slight discomfort from a mouth expander, but it won’t be as bad as going in for full-mouth dental work done at once.
