Most patients have a small lisp when they first get an orthodontic expander. However, it is usually short lived and most patients go back to talking normally very soon. The tongue will quickly adapt to sharing the roof of the mouth with the expander and soon after nobody will be able to hear a difference. 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. Expanders take advantage of the presence of the growth plate if they are used before it is fused. One sign that the expander has actually moved the two halves of the palate apart is the appearance of a space between the front teeth. The result is a visible gap between the teeth. This gap is normal and desirable. Expanders for the Lower Jaw There is no cartilage here like there is in your palate, so the expander moves your teeth directly instead. Lower expanders can also fix teeth that are crowded or leaning in too much, by spreading out your lower teeth.
Expanding the palate is usually complete within three to six weeks. When the expander is turned, patients may feel pressure in the teeth. They may also be a tingling sensation around the bridge of the nose or under your eyes. The sensation typically lasts for a few minutes and then dissipates. We usually recommend completing one turn in the morning and one turn in the evening to avoid discomfort.
The two most common problems that patients experience with an RPE are trapped food between the expander and the roof of the mouth and difficulty making the initial turn. When the expander is initially placed, we will teach you how to properly clean it.
If food gets stuck in the device, you can swish or gargle with water. You can also use a cotton swab and gently wipe the palate of the mouth. The other possible problem which can arise is failing to make a complete turn. Patients sometimes think they made a complete turn and remove the key. In order to resolve, you have to return to the previous hole in the back of the mouth, insert the key and complete the turn.
To treat our patients as our families and to treat others as how we want to be treated. From your first phone call to the moment your new smile is born, everything in our office is set up to ensure an excellent experience with us. We will always listen to you and improve with your suggestions. We will continue to keep up with the ever growing digital technologies to improve your orthodontic experience. We also commit to always help you find the most convenient time for your visit with us.
Rapid Palatal Expander A rapid palatal expander minneapolis RPE is a customized appliance which is used to widen the two halves of the top jaw, which are also called the palate or maxilla.
Also widening the palate can make room for crowded teeth to align, which can often prevent the need for extraction of permanent teeth. A high palate and narrow arch may restrict breathing passages. Studies have shown that expanders can widen air passages and result in better breathing.
Lastly, expanders contribute to a broader, more attractive smile. Expansion is easiest and results are most stable when performed on a growing child or teen. Activation of an expander is usually done by a parent, guardian, or someone other than the patient. On the day the expander is placed, we give you a key that inserts into an opening in the activation portion of the RPE. It is easiest to have the patient lie down on a bed or couch where there is good light.
Then, the patient tilts their head back so that the RPE can be seen clearly with the arrows pointing in the direction of the turn. The key is inserted into the top hole visible until it is firmly in place. Note that when the key is fully inserted, the bend in center of the key is no longer visible. Follow the arrows facing towards the back of the mouth to apply a small amount of pressure to swivel the key in their direction, completing a 90 degree turn on the key. As you turn, the fender rotates and a new hole becomes visible.
The rotation stops when the key meets the back of the expander. When the turn is complete, simply push down toward the tongue while you continue to lightly apply pressure toward the back of the mouth to remove the key.
You should then see the next hole for insertion at the top. You will be given specific instructions as to how many turns to complete before the next appointment.
0コメント