Invisalign Q&A
78%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review
View Before and Afters
Average Invisalign Cost: $4,775
Learn about Invisalign
2,303 people and 172 doctors are talking about Invisalign
Get Free Email Updates
Can Invisalign Provide Enough Expansion to Increase Nasal Passage Airway?
asked 1 year ago by joseph22 in Sherman Oaks, CA
Latest answer by Gilbert H. Snow, DDS
Question viewed 954 times
Tags: age 18-24, jaw, male, expander, expansion, options, palate
Can invisalign provide enough expansion to actually increase the airway of the nasal passage way in minor cases? I am a 20 year old male. If not, will a palate expander be able to provide some bone widening of the upper jaw?
I have read numerous times that this is not possible in adults without surgery. However, I have also read many adults have had success with palate expanders and I was wondering what the truth of this is. I have attached a picture so you can get an idea of where I am now
5 answers to Can Invisalign Provide Enough Expansion to Increase Nasal Passage Airway?
+2
Expansion of upper jaw needs Functional Facial Orthopedics
I am glad you asked this question. I am also glad you did enough research to even be able to ask the question. There is much confusion and misinformation about the real answer. The traditional thinking in orthodontics is that surgery is necessary once a person becomes a teenager because the palatal bone has been believed to fuse into one bone, however that is not the case and techniques I have used over the last twenty five years have proven...
more
+1
In your case, no
In your case don't expect improvement in your breathing from expansion.
Most definitely expanding the upper jaw can improve nasal air flow. There is not enough research to show that expansion with Invisalign will help breathing. The most likely answer will be no.
Expansion with a jack screw, especially with young people, has shown improvement in breathing through the nose.
Expansion with a jack screw with adults can be done but only with someone who has experience...
more
Gilbert H. Snow, DDS
Encino Orthodontist
Encino Orthodontist
+1
Breathe Better with Palatal Expansion
Research has shown that palatal expansion can add more surface area to the nasal cavity therefore increasing breathing efficiency. Palatal expansion is best achieved in pre-teens before puberty begins. Invisalign does not exert enough force to achieve skeletal palate expansion.
+1
Can invisalign widen nasal passages
Neither Invisalign nor braces can widen nasal passages, especially in adults. As to the ability of a palatal expander to widen the palate without surgery on an adult, I would certainly think this is not really possible. Sorry to say only surgery can help this problem!
Robert Waxler, DMD, MS
Saint Louis Orthodontist
Saint Louis Orthodontist
+1
Invisalign and palate widening
You mention a need for increasing the nasal airway. It is true that widening the palate may increase the nasal airway. However, Invisalign will not accomplish this to any measurable degree. At your age the palate is one continuous bone and pushing on the teeth does not change the dimensions of the bone in a side to side direction; it merely pushes the teeth through the bone. A palate expander can increase the side to side dimension of the palate in a younger child...
more
