Get the Perfect Fit Teeth with Adult Palate Expanders
If you are an adult considering palate expander treatment, you may have several questions about the process and your options. For example, you may wonder if there’s an age limit to this procedure, or if it’s the same as the braces you wore as a child. The good news is that there are plenty of options available to adult patients in need of palate expansion, including a special type of retainer called an adult palate expander. This guide will explain everything you need to know about this type of retainer and how it can help you achieve the perfect fit teeth in no time at all!
What are palate expanders?
Palate expander for adults are specifically designed to push back teeth, preventing them from interfering with the bite. By design, palate expanders are long and thin, but still strong enough to do their job effectively. The end of a palate expander is used to knock out front teeth in order to create room for a complete underbite brace. Once removed, patients can then place a small retainer into their mouth that matches up to one end of their expanders. From there, your dentist can make precise adjustments based on how much room you need (but keep in mind they’ll always measure twice before drilling). Once everything is aligned correctly and your expansion plan has been successfully implemented, you’re ready for your permanent underbite retainer!
How do you know if you need palate expanders?
Using underbite braces to align teeth involves fitting your mouth with a set of plastic appliances that gradually push your upper and lower jaws farther apart. How do you know if palate expanders are right for you? Usually, people who need palate expanders have an underbite, in which their lower jaw is much smaller than their upper jaw. To get a better sense of whether or not you might benefit from using these plastic tools to achieve a perfect fit smile, compare your facial profile against our guide below.
How long does it take for palate expanders to work?
One of most common questions is how long it takes for palate expanders to work. The answer is, of course, different for every patient and depends on many factors, such as how quickly their body responds to their palate expander and any potential complications that arise during treatment. Most patients will notice some changes after only a couple weeks of wearing their new device. On average, however, it can take anywhere from three to six months before you’re able to fit into your desired smile design.
What happens when palate expanders have finished working?
The first thing that happens when palate expanders have finished working is that you’ll have a new, healthy mouth. The second thing that will happen is your dentist will tell you it’s time to get fixed retainers or braces. Before you freak out, remember: getting your teeth corrected is totally normal, and there are a lot of great options for doing so, which range from clear retainers and lingual braces to Invisalign and Six Month Smiles. It might seem like an awkward decision to choose one option over another (especially since many people spend years dealing with uncomfortable metal in their mouths), but a professional will be able to help you find something that fits perfectly into your lifestyle—not just now, but down the road as well.
Why should I have my palate expanded as an adult?
Have you ever had your teeth straightened and then felt that bite or click when you close your mouth? It is likely that your bite isn’t correct. The same thing can happen if you have underbite braces to correct an underbite. Bite correction will be corrected by getting an adult palate expander to stretch out your jawbone so that your teeth fit together right. Stretching out one bone at a time helps in making sure it heals correctly. So there are no noticeable mistakes later on in life.
What does it mean if my palate expander becomes loose in my mouth?
A loose palate expander may mean that you’re making progress with your expansion process. However, it may also mean that you need to see your dentist to have it adjusted. Regardless of whether or not your palate expander becomes loose. Be sure to follow all of your dentist’s recommendations for wearing and cleaning it. Any deviation from his or her protocol can cause negative side effects, including gum damage. It is possible for a patient to wear their palate expander for more than four months without any issues—but if you start having problems before then, contact your dentist right away!
