A 39-year-old member asked:
I have malocclusion. will rapid palatal expander will help me?
5 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gilberto Nunezanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 20 years experience
Depends: You will need to see an orthodontist to establish a real diagnosis of your malocclusion and the cause of it, it can be dental or skeletal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Keith Grimmanswered
Dentistry 27 years experience
Probably not: Rapid palatal expanders are most effective in childhood when used before the right and left halve of the palate have fused. Expanders can be slightly useful in adults but it would be best to ask your dentist or orthodontist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Arnold Malermananswered
Orthodontics 55 years experience
Crossbite?: As an adult, if upper jaw too narrow compared to lower common rx is to make jaws match side-to-side with surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion. Let an orthodontist examine you and give you viable treatment alternatives. The orthodontist can tell you about all the wonderful things that can be done to help you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Hilary Baskinanswered
Orthodontics 30 years experience
No: At your age it is highly unlikely that a palatal expander will be effective. That said, i would discuss what can be done with an orthodontist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Gary Brighamanswered
Orthodontics 53 years experience
Limited for adults: Expansion of the palate in adults is the subject of debate due to the palatal suture having fused in late teens, preventing expansion of the palatal shelves in adults. Research claiming success often fails to distinguish between true bone expansion and posterior tooth uprighting of collapsed posterior teeth (a common problem in adults). Ask your orthodontist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 2, 2014
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