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Are Removable Palate Expanders As Effective As Fixed Ones?

asked 11 months ago by YoWhatUp in Sherman Oaks, CA
Latest answer by Greg Jorgensen, DMD, MS
Question viewed 424 times
Tags: age 18-24, effective, palate expander

My dentist is going to give me a removable palate expander. He says its basically brand new technology, it is clear, and has only been out for around a year. My question is, is this as effective as a fixed palate expander? Will I be able to get some increased nasal passage air flow even though I am 20 years of age? Also, my ortho is super cautious because he says I might form a "open bite" because I am a class III? Is this true? I am quite skeptical about the open bite. Thank you!!

2 answers to Are Removable Palate Expanders As Effective As Fixed Ones?

+1

Using Palatal Expanders in Adult Patients

Although some arch expansion can be achieved in 20-year-olds using removable appliances (be it a retainer with an expansion screw or Invisalign), all of that movement will be dental-only - meaning the teeth will move but the jaw bones will not. The only way you would see improve respiration due to enlarging the nasal passage at age 20 would be to combine a fixed palatal expander with a surgical procedure to re-open the suture in the roof of your mouth. As for the openbite, it is true... more
Greg Jorgensen, DMD, MS

Albuquerque Orthodontist
+1

Removable vs cemented expanders effectiveness

Short answer: they not equal. Long answer: can be equally effective. The obvious reason is why the cemented is more effective. It is in your mouth. There is no forgetting, loosing, etc. They body responds best to light consistent pressures, as far as long term stable changes. (Like diet and exercise) That said, expanders are not all alike or equal. There are many different materials used in expanders that can make one more effective than another. There are cranked expanders, spring... more
Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD

Chesterfield Orthodontist

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