Question 1

does a palate expander decrease snoring?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Palatal expanders can be a tool in the management of airway obstruction. By expanding the palate they improve the nasal airway(just above the palate). They are often more useful very early teens. Some have even used them in adults. They can decrease snoring if the reason for the snoring is due to nasal airway. Snoring is due to multiple issues and the soft palate is usually one.

Question 2

what will a palate expander effect?

Accepted Answer

The upper jaw width: A palate expander, also known as a "butterfly", is used to accomplish rapid palatal expansion in a child who has not finished growing. As a result, the upper jaw is wider, eliminating a potential cross bite and creating more room in the upper dental arch for the upper teeth, hopefully to avoid the need to extract normal healthy teeth. It should be performed by a trained orthodontist.

Question 3

my palate expander broke! what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Call your doctor: Whether or not the expander is fixed or removable, you should call your doctor immediately. If the expander is fixed in the mouth, portions of it can be further fractured off  and subsequently swallowed or aspirated.

Question 4

what to do if i have rapid palate expander dislodged?

Accepted Answer

See your dentist: to prevent negative pressure and damage to the dentition and the surrounding structures. Worse, swallowing components of the appliance.

Question 5

does the palate expander make face wider?

Accepted Answer

It possibly could: Depending on how narrow the current palate is and how much expansion needs to be done.  Typically, only slight, imperceptible facial changes occur.  But other factors also play a role in how wide a face appears, including skin thickness, muscle tone, fat layer etc.   If this treatment was recommended, it is to allow improved space to better allow your teeth to orthodontically reposition.

Question 6

how big of a gap does a palate expander create?

Accepted Answer

Most likely small: The expander should only expand the arch slightly more then what is needed to correct the crowding.  At 30 there is also only so much an expanded can do. This is because the cartildge that is in the middle of your palate had turned to bone. Greater expansion can be done in a child while there is still cartildge in the middle because it will expand and grow in repsonce to the expansion force.

Question 7

if i have a cross bite, will i get a palate expander?

Accepted Answer

Probably.: It depends on your age and how severe is the cross bite. Braces alone may do the trick.  In extreme cases,  surgery may be necessary.

Question 8

would i need a palate expander if i have a cross bite?

Accepted Answer

Maybe.: It depends on whether or not your mandible (lower jaw) is in the right position as it relates to the skull. If you have mandibular prognathism, you may need orthognathic surgery to reposition the mandible and that may correct the crossbite.

Question 9

after i get my palate expander removed, will i need a retainer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Depending on the degree of expansion, you may have a transpalatal arch to maintain the width for a period of time.  At the end of orthodontic therapy, you will always need a retainer and many follow up appointments to check for relapse and make the necessary intervention.  Consult with your orthodontist.

Question 10

how long will my seven year old need to wear a palate expander?

Accepted Answer

Expander: These are worn until your orthodontist sees the result(correction of a cross bite) needed for your child's treatment. Please consult with your orthodontist to have explained  the result he or she is looking for and do not expand more than is recommended per day as it can cause more problems and pain.

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Doctor answers about:

Does a palate expander decrease snoring

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Does a palate expander decrease snoring?

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What will a palate expander effect?

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My palate expander broke! what should i do?

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What to do if i have rapid palate expander dislodged?

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Does the palate expander make face wider?

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How big of a gap does a palate expander create?

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If i have a cross bite, will i get a palate expander?

A member asked:

Would i need a palate expander if i have a cross bite?

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After i get my palate expander removed, will i need a retainer?

A member asked:

How long will my seven year old need to wear a palate expander?

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