What is an expander?

An expander, also called a rapid palatal expander or RPE, is an appliance designed to correct a narrow upper arch that can result in crossbite, crowding, or impacted teeth. Two bands are cemented onto the last upper molars and connected by a metal screw that gets turned regularly to expand the appliance.

What does an expander do to your teeth?

An expander has many benefits. It can widen the upper arch so that the upper teeth fit better with the lower teeth, creating a better bite. Also widening the palate can make room for crowded teeth to align, which can often prevent the need for extraction of permanent teeth.

Does an expander hurt?

Will it Hurt? There will be some discomfort at first, but there will not be a lot of pain. 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.

How long does expander stay on?

Most orthodontists will leave a palate expander in for at least 6 months. Some doctors will remove the expander at 6 months and replace it with a smaller appliance to hold the expansion such as trans-palatal arch or a removable acrylic retainer.

Are expanders the same as braces?

While palate expanders create more space and adjust issues and habits, braces are for correcting the placement of the teeth. Braces utilize those same spaces in the mouth provided by the palate expander to slowly move the teeth into a predetermined position that will result in a perfectly straight smile!

What Is an Expander? | Audio Dynamics 101

At what age should a child get an expander?

At what age should my child get palate expander braces? A child should get a palate expander at the age of 7-8 years. At this age, their jawbones are in the formation stage. Thus it becomes easier for the expander to do its job.

How much do teeth expanders cost?

Cost. Traditionally the price range of a palate expander treatment plan falls around $2,000 – $3,000 minimum. Nevertheless, the total cost varies according to where you live, who your orthodontist is, and whether or not you're covered by insurance.

Does an expander change face shape?

Does Palatal Expander Change Face Shape? Palate expander will not make your face wider. However, if you have a facial asymmetry associated with posterior dental cross bite, then palatal expander can improve your facial asymmetry.

How do you eat with an expander?

Is it hard to talk with an expander?

Expanders can feel a bit awkward when speaking or talking at first. Some kids lisp or drool a bit until they grow more accustomed to wearing the devices. With time and practice, it'll get easier.

What color is best for braces?

Choose light blue, bronze, dark purple or subdued reds and pinks to complement lighter skin tones. Choose darker colors to make your teeth appear whiter. Watch out for lighter colors that could make your teeth look more yellow. Consider colors that complement or match your eyes.

Do expanders change your voice?

They concluded, therefore, that rapid palatal expansion does not affect vocal quality or resonance, so it can be safely used with patients [30].

What can't you eat with an expander?

Avoid Sticky and Hard Foods

Chewy or sticky candy like chewing gum, taffy, licorice, and caramels should be avoided. Hard and crunchy foods like popcorn, nuts, and ice are also not recommended with a palate expander.

How do I brush my teeth with an expander?

To clean expanders, brush around the bands, plastic, and support arms of your expander, and along the gumline. Additionally, use a proxibrush every time you brush to get into the small, narrow areas.

Can you eat gum with an expander?

Patients should not chew gum while they have their expander, but patients with traditional braces can chew gum if it is on the ADA (American Dental Association) approved list of sugar-free gums. These gums are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol or mannitol.

Do expanders make you talk funny?

You may talk a little funny for a day or two until your tongue gets use to sharing space with the expander – but in no time you will speak normally.

How painful is a palate expander?

Do Palatal Expanders Hurt? For the first few days after receiving the palatal expander, your child may experience some discomfort and difficulty speaking and eating. However, the expander should not cause pain.

Can you eat chocolate with expanders?

The reason is you can't brush and floss teeth normally because of the risk of spacer falling out. Besides, if sugary food particles remain with the spacer, it may cause more harm. So, stay away from sugary foods such as candy or chocolate and beverages such as cold drinks or sports drinks while wearing separators.

Do expanders stay in with braces?

While expanders don't have to be used with traditional metal braces, they often are. The normal course of treatment is to begin with an expander by itself for a few months. We will use the expander as described above to correct the narrow upper jaw and make additional room for the teeth.

Does everyone get a gap with an expander?

Does Everyone Get a Gap With an Expander? It is common for a gap to form. Yet, rarely will the size of the gap between the teeth ever get as large as the distance between the two sides of the orthodontic expander because the teeth start moving back together even before expansion is complete.

Do expanders change your nose?

Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion cause dentofacial changes, especially in the nasal cavity. Consequently, the nose width enlarges, reducing Nasal Airflow Resistance.

Does an expander break your jaw?

A Palatal Expander Widens the Jaw

A palatal expander allows more space for future teeth to grow into, creates a more aesthetically pleasing smile and better aligns the upper and lower teeth. Contrary to the myth, a palatal expander does not break the upper jaw bone.

Are expanders covered by insurance?

In addition to braces, your health insurance plan may cover the cost of other orthodontic treatments. Depending upon your specific plan, you may be able to receive coverage for: Palate expanders. Treatments for bite issues such as an overjet or crossbite.

What age is too late for palate expander?

Ages Five to Sixteen

After the age of five and up until about sixteen, your child is in the perfect place to reap the most benefits from an expander. At these ages, most of a child's adult teeth and molars have come in. It is preferable that a few adult teeth in the upper jaw have not yet appeared.