How painful is an expander?

Palatal expanders do not usually cause pain. Some patients, however, experience difficulty in speaking and swallowing for the first few days of treatment. Following your dentist’s instructions for adjusting your palatal expander will help ensure there is minimal pain and to avoid delays in your treatment plan.

Do orthodontic expanders 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 do you deal with the pain of an expander?

Painkillers such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or Aleve can help alleviate pain associated with the expander. It’s highly suggested to take a dose about an hour or so before turning the key so you’ll feel as little pain or discomfort as possible, as key turning is probably the most uncomfortable part.

What to expect when you get an expander?

3) What can we expect with our new palatal expander? It make take up to one week to adjust to an expander. Your child may feel some pressure on the roof of the mouth and on the molar teeth. Your child may also complain that it feels funny to swallow as his or her tongue must adjust to the new appliance.

How much do expanders cost?

How much does a palatal expander cost? The cost of treatment depends on your location and the orthodontist you visit. In most cases, a palate expander costs anywhere between $2000 and $3000. Since palatal expansion is medically necessary, most insurance plans cover most or all of the treatment costs.

Do expanders make you talk funny?

Again, just like a foreign speaker of a new language, your tongue must learn new locations for each sound. At first, your tongue may feel sore from constantly rubbing on your expander. This will also affect your speech.

What age is best for palate expander?

At our office, we typically suggest palate expanders to children between the ages of 7 and 12. However, Dr. Sims has placed palate expanders on children as young as 5 years old. In most cases, partial expanders are worn for three to six months.

What can you not eat with an expander?

Include lots of fruits and vegetables, along with meat, milk and whole grain bread. Do not eat sticky or chewy foods such as gum, taffy, caramels or licorice. Do not eat hard foods like ice, nuts or popcorn. Whole raw carrots, celery and apples should be cut into bite-size pieces.

Can you eat normally with an expander?

You can eat any time after leaving the office. However, remember the list of foods that may be harmful to expanders. Until you become accustomed to eating with your new expanders, you may find it beneficial to follow a diet consisting of all soft foods.

Do expanders change your face?

Additional orthodontic work is sometimes needed in more severe cases. A Herpst appliance or a palatal expander can move the jaw or widen the upper jaw. … The ultimate result is a new smile and, in most moderate to severe cases, orthodontics change the shape of your face – subtly.

What is the cost of braces?

Average cost of braces with insurance
Type of braces Before insurance After insurance
Metal braces $3,000 to $7,500 $1,500 to $3,750
Ceramic braces $2,000 to $8,500 $1,000 to $4,750
Invisalign braces $3,000 to $7,000 $1,500 to $3,500
Lingual braces $5,000 to $13,000 $3,500 to $9,250
Apr 1, 2021

Does an expander hurt more than braces?

No, it doesn’t hurt. After the expander is turned you may feel pressure in the area of the teeth, and tingling around the bridge of the nose or under your eyes. The sensation generally lasts for about 5 minutes and then dissipates.

Do expanders make your nose bigger?

Rapid maxillary expansion produces a significant skeletal transverse expansion of nasal region in growing patients. No significant differences in nasal effects are expected when the appliance is anchored onto deciduous teeth, with or without the palatal acrylic coverage.

What happens if you forget to turn your expander?

Missing an adjustment may lengthen the time required for expansion. If for some reason you do miss an adjustment, it is very important that you DO NOT turn the appliance two turns the following day in an effort to ‘catch up’. Instead, simply resume turning it as instructed above each time.

Are expanders painful for kids?

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.

Does an expander break your 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.

Can you chew 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.

How do you swallow spit with an expander?

When you first have the expander placed, your mouth may produce more saliva. If this occurs, make a conscious effort to swallow normally by closing your lips and pushing your tongue up against the roof of your mouth. Dry not to “slurp” as it will drive your family crazy!

Can you kiss someone with an expander?

Many people with braces worry that they won’t be able to kiss someone else while until the braces are removed. … Wait until you feel comfortable with your braces before trying for anything adventurous, like a kiss. We recommend waiting at least two weeks before attempting any kissing. When you do kiss, take it slow.

Can a palate expander fell out?

If your palate expander becomes loose on both sides, it will come completely out of the mouth. When this happens there is a risk of the appliance falling off while eating and potentially going down the throat. This is a major choking hazard for your child.

Can you eat burgers with expanders?

You can still eat things like ice cream, brownies, cookies, cake, French fries, burger, hot dogs, and pizza (just avoid the crust), no problem.