Question 1

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 2

can anyone explain a palate expander?

Accepted Answer

Appliance: Rapid palatal expanders are orthodontic appliances cemented to upper back teeth that have a screwjack. This is turned a small amount at regular intervals to separate plates of palatal bone which stimulates additional bone growth at the suture where the bony plates meet. This growth causes the palate to expand other removable appliances can accomplish the same thing.

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

where does the key for a palate expander go?

Accepted Answer

key hole: Should be a hole in the main apparatus that the key fits into.

Question 5

could a palate expander cause speech problems?

Accepted Answer

Temporarily: A palatal expander will sit on/near the roof of the mouth while being utilized. During that period of time the patient may have a slight difficulty enunciating certain sounds. There should be no long term problems.

Question 6

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 7

please tell me what does a palate expander really do?

Accepted Answer

Expands the palate: It really does expand the palate! the name they came up for it perfectly describes what it does. In essence, it moves bones of the maxilla that have not yet fused, thereby expanding the palate.

Question 8

my palate expander comes off tomorrow. what can i expect?

Accepted Answer

Relief and joy: Palatal expander will cause some irritation to your gum due to hard ot access oral hygiene effort, localized gum inflammation, localize food impaction, interferene with the tongue function and movement, straining on your tooth.  Your gum underneath may have sore spot and even bleeding.  Brush and floss area clean.  Notify your dentist if you see any unexpected tooth movement or relapse.

Question 9

is a palate expander useful for a child, or is it not much help?

Accepted Answer

Very useful: I feel old when i start answers with "in my day" but this one counts. Today's youth wears braces for a couple years at most while we had them for 4-5 years. Palate expanders and other technology help move teeth and jaws much faster. Trust the orthodontist. Things have come a long way over the years.

Question 10

need help! my palate expander came out! how can i put it back on?

Accepted Answer

You shouldn't: Palatal expanders are carefully fitted in the mouth. If the appliance has become dislodged, it can be distorted or partially broken. Your doctor is in the best position to evaluate its condition and determine the next appropriate step in your treatment. Call him/her.

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Doctor answers about:

Palate expander

A member asked:

What will a palate expander effect?

A member asked:

Can anyone explain a palate expander?

A member asked:

My palate expander broke! what should i do?

A member asked:

Where does the key for a palate expander go?

A member asked:

Could a palate expander cause speech problems?

A member asked:

What to do if i have rapid palate expander dislodged?

A member asked:

Please tell me what does a palate expander really do?

A member asked:

My palate expander comes off tomorrow. what can i expect?

A member asked:

Is a palate expander useful for a child, or is it not much help?

A member asked:

Need help! my palate expander came out! how can i put it back on?

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