Palatal expander
|
WikiDoc Resources for Palatal expander |
|
Articles |
|---|
|
Most recent articles on Palatal expander Most cited articles on Palatal expander |
|
Media |
|
Powerpoint slides on Palatal expander |
|
Evidence Based Medicine |
|
Clinical Trials |
|
Ongoing Trials on Palatal expander at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Palatal expander Clinical Trials on Palatal expander at Google
|
|
Guidelines / Policies / Govt |
|
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Palatal expander NICE Guidance on Palatal expander
|
|
Books |
|
News |
|
Commentary |
|
Definitions |
|
Patient Resources / Community |
|
Patient resources on Palatal expander Discussion groups on Palatal expander Patient Handouts on Palatal expander Directions to Hospitals Treating Palatal expander Risk calculators and risk factors for Palatal expander
|
|
Healthcare Provider Resources |
|
Causes & Risk Factors for Palatal expander |
|
Continuing Medical Education (CME) |
|
International |
|
|
|
Business |
|
Experimental / Informatics |
Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
Synonyms and related keywords: rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander
Overview
A palatal expander, also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander, is used to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better. This can only be done when the patient is still growing, unless surgery is used to separate the two halves of the palate. It is most often followed by braces to straighten out all the teeth now that room has been created. Patients who have just gotten expanders may experience extra saliva and talking lisps. Additionally, patients may also feel a sore on their tongue from contact with the expander's metal bars. The expansion process usually results in a large gap between the patient's front teeth although this does not always happen. This gap is closed by subsequent orthodontics (braces). With expanders, the patient has to remember to turn the expansion screw themselves. For expansion that is not managed by the patient on both the upper and lower jaws, a bionator may be more suitable alternative.
Although it may vary from person to person, most usually feel slight pressure on their teeth. As the patient turns the expansion screw using the key, a space develops between the front two teeth. Some may notice a larger space while others do not notice a space at all. It usually takes several days to adjust to eating and speaking after first receiving the rapid palatal expander.
The brace also puts pressure in parts of the nose and wearers may also experience headaches.
