Question 1

how much time would it take for a 1.6mm ear expander to grow back?

Accepted Answer

Variable: The short answer is, for small to medium ear lobe stretching, give it 6 months or so. Also, expect that it will probably never go back to looking completely normal without plastic surgery. The degree of shrinking does vary depending on the patient as well and how long the ear lobe has been stretched. Hope this helps

Question 2

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 3

my 10 year old had a palate expander installed and adjusted 3 times and once it caused pain so she refuses to allow for another adjustment. thoughts?

Accepted Answer

Who's the boss ?: It is understandable that she does not want to be in pain, but it is also understandable that she would want straight teeth. Explain to her that she is not the only one going thru this, and that the "discomfort" is finite in duration. Otc pain meds should help. Have a talk together with the orthodontist.

Question 4

i got palette expander.now i have pop sounds in my jaw.she removed it.she said it was from grinding but i don't. did she cause this?

Accepted Answer

TMJoint "Pops": First, most patients are unaware whether or not they grind their teeth, especially the ones who only do it while they're sleeping. You should be evaluated for TMJoint issues by an Orthodontist who has sufficient training and experience treating TMJ\TMD cases who can incorporate this into their treatment plan. Ask for a better explanation and advice from your current dentist or get second opinion.

Question 5

is it normal for a palate expander to cause pain after a few weeks? i got used to having the thing in after a few days. there was a little soreness, but nothing a tylenol didn't fix. but now, about 2-1/2 weeks later, it really hurts, and tylenol isn't wor

Accepted Answer

Answer: : Answer:  a palatal expansion appliance is normally relatively comfortable.  When it is first placed there may be some tooth sensitivity as the teeth are just getting used to the appliance being placed.  However the activation process of the fixed expansion in a growing individual (under the age of 17 years of age) should not produce pain.  The patient will feel a slight temporary pressure after each daily activation.  But that sensation should go away in 1 â€” 2 hours.  The activation time for a fixed expansion appliance is typically 3 to 7 weeks duration.  After the activating time the palatal expansion appliance is left in place for approximately 4 months to allow new bone structure to â€œfillâ€ into the newly created space in the palatal bone area.  During this stabilization stage you should have no discomfort.

There are a couple of possibilities for pain or prolonged/continued discomfort during the fixed palatal expansion appliance wear.  One possibility is that you have lodged a foreign object, such as food debris, between the appliance and the roof of your mouth.  If the debris is not removed the soft tissue of your palate may become inflamed or infected.  If this is occurring you must return to your orthodontic specialist to have the problem attended to.  A second possibility is if the discomfort is occurring around the area of the bands placed on your teeth which keep the expansion appliance in place, it is possible the gum tissue around these teeth is becoming inflamed or irritated.  You must be diligent in your home care and take extra effort to be sure you are cleaning thoroughly around all of the appliance, especially where the bands fit next to the gum tissue.  In both these cases, or with any pain related to the appliance after you have had it in for more than 2 â€” 3 days, you should consult your orthodontic specialist to have the appliance and your mouth tissues evaluated.

Question 6

is it possible to keep a front gap caused by a palate expander during and after orthodontic treatment?

Accepted Answer

: Always possible. Discuss with your orthodontist.

Question 7

after i get my palate expander removed, will i need a retainer? i thought the palate expander permanently changed the shape of your mouth, but a friend just told me the reason she wears a retainer is because she had a palate expander. i was hoping to be d

Accepted Answer

Answer: : Answer:  to begin with i assume we are talking about a growing patient utilizing the palatal expansion appliance.  Use of a fixed expansion appliance for the palate is only effective up until the age of 17.  After that time the skeletal palate suture (growth plate) is fused and the palatal bone will not widen through conventional appliance application alone.  In the case of patients older than 17 years of age a surgical assist of the palatal appliance activation is most likely necessary.

It is normal to follow fixed palatal expansion treatment (activation and stabilization time) with some type of retention period.  Usually the palatal expansion treatment is followed by different subsequent removable appliances/retainers or braces on the teeth.  In expanding the palate you are permanently changing/widening the skeletal bone structure, so long term retention of the expansion (longer than 5 months) is probably not necessary.  However some type of retention period should be expected immediately after expansion appliance removal.

Question 8

i have crowded teeth and they have some mobility. my orthodontist has said it is caused by pressure from crowding but with my regular brushing, it will not ever fall out. should my teeth soon enough tighten a bit after i get braces and an expander?

Accepted Answer

: Malpositioned teeth trap food and bacteria more so than teeth that are properly aligned. Orthodontic care together with proper brushing, flossing, and professional hygiene visits should resolve your problem.

Question 9

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 10

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.

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Doctor answers about:

What causes ear to expand

A member asked:

How much time would it take for a 1.6mm ear expander to grow back?

A member asked:

Could a palate expander cause speech problems?

A member asked:

My 10 year old had a palate expander installed and adjusted 3 times and once it caused pain so she refuses to allow for another adjustment. thoughts?

A member asked:

I got palette expander.now i have pop sounds in my jaw.she removed it.she said it was from grinding but i don't. did she cause this?

A member asked:

Is it normal for a palate expander to cause pain after a few weeks? i got used to having the thing in after a few days. there was a little soreness, but nothing a tylenol didn't fix. but now, about 2-1/2 weeks later, it really hurts, and tylenol isn't wor

A member asked:

Is it possible to keep a front gap caused by a palate expander during and after orthodontic treatment?

A member asked:

After i get my palate expander removed, will i need a retainer? i thought the palate expander permanently changed the shape of your mouth, but a friend just told me the reason she wears a retainer is because she had a palate expander. i was hoping to be d

A member asked:

I have crowded teeth and they have some mobility. my orthodontist has said it is caused by pressure from crowding but with my regular brushing, it will not ever fall out. should my teeth soon enough tighten a bit after i get braces and an expander?

A member asked:

Does a palate expander decrease snoring?

A member asked:

Does the palate expander make face wider?

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