Why does my expander hurt so bad?
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. The pressure may even spread to your eyes and nose, but this will go away after a while.
Are mouth expanders uncomfortable?
Are Palatal Expanders Painful? Palatal expanders do not usually cause pain. Some patients, however, experience difficulty in speaking and swallowing for the first few days of treatment.
How long does an expander last?
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.
How do you stop an expander from hurting?
However, if you feel any minor initial sensitivity a few hours after an expander is placed, Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) in regular doses can alleviate the discomfort. It is exceptionally crucial to clean your expander, using the hygiene kit and instructions provided.
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.
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 can you not eat with expanders?
Include lots of fruits and vegetables, along with meat, milk and whole grain bread. Do not eat sticky or chewy foods such as gum, taffy, caramels or licorice. Do not eat hard foods like ice, nuts or popcorn.
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.
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 give you a lisp?
Most patients have a small lisp when they first get an orthodontic expander. However, it is usually short lived and most patients go back to talking normally very soon. The tongue will quickly adapt to sharing the roof of the mouth with the expander and soon after nobody will be able to hear a difference.
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.
What do I do if my expander is stuck?
When the expander is placed, we show you how to clean around it. 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 do you need to know about teeth expanders?
Teeth expanders are useful in creating space in your mouth. An orthodontist can tell by looking at your baby teeth if you have enough room for your incoming adult ones. Widening the upper jaw with a palatal expander makes sure your teeth will come in without causing any problems.
What are the side effects of palate expanders?
Palate expanders also treat maxillary transverse deficiency. Patients with this condition usually have a narrow palate and posterior crossbite. Other indications of maxillary transverse deficiency include: Paranasal Hollowing — when the bones of the upper jaw are underdeveloped, the lower jaw excessively protrudes forward.
When to use a palate expander for maxillary transverse deficiency?
If the lower teeth and jaw are positioned in front of their upper teeth and jaw (underbite). If the lower jaw appears to be unusually large. Although, the lack of upper jaw development is usually the actual cause of this abnormality. Palate expanders also treat maxillary transverse deficiency.
How long does it take for a palatal expander to work?
A dental expander makes room for teeth to grow and corrects specific jaw alignment problems. Palatal expanders work by applying gentle pressure to the palate until it reaches the desired expansion. Treatment can last anywhere from three to twelve months, depending on the usage, child’s palate and the orthodontist’s opinion.