I Have Been Wearing my Expanders for 2 Weeks and Activated Them 14 Times(3.5mm)

asked 11 months ago by zaid ilyas in Centreville, VA
Latest answer by Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD
Question viewed 172 times
Tags: age 18-24, expander

my doctor has told me that he will take these expanders out in 3 to 4 more weeks and then put invisalign. he said since i need 4 mm of space, he thinks my palate bone will be expanded in 4 to 6mm in 4 to 6 weeks. my question is once he takes expanders out wouldnt that make my palate bone(jaw) narrow again. he said invisalign also works as expanders so that wont happen. I just want to make sure that my doctor isnt making a irrationial decision by taking my expanders out in 6 weeks only. btw im 21

5 answers to I Have Been Wearing my Expanders for 2 Weeks and Activated Them 14 Times(3.5mm)

Invisalign can hold arch expansion in place

If you are diligent with your wearing of aligners and then retainers when you are done, arch expansion should be maintained. Teeth will move only if there is a force acting upon them (in this case, the cheeks). If a retainer is rigid enough to resist these forces, you should be fine. But you will need to wear a retainer for the rest of your life.

Lance Timmerman, DMD
Seattle Cosmetic Dentist

Palatal expansion before Invisalign can enhance result

Palatal expansion can enhance your Invisalign result and can be accomplished at any age with a removable appliance that pushes against the palatal bone, is activated slowly (2 X a week), and has good stability. However the most common type of expansion called Rapid Palatal Expansion (RPE) calls for a more rapid activation (daily), has been shown to be more unstable, so if you had this type of expansion, plan on some relapse. However, your... more

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS
Denver Orthodontist

www.aotmj.com

There is always relapse

At age 21 there is a good chance that the suture down the middle of your palate is not separated. It could be separated but there is a large chance that the expansion all came from tipping the teeth towards your cheek. If the suture is separated it is wise to leave the expander in for three months to allow bone to fill in the suture. If there is no separation of the suture then waiting as long would not be as beneficial. A good indicator that the suture was separated is if you now have... more

Gilbert H. Snow, DDS
Encino Orthodontist

Expansion then to Invisalign

You are wise to ask these questions. At your age that rapid of expansion likely it only tooth tipping, which maybe all you need. If that is the case Invisalign will be able to maintain that with excellent compliance on your part. You clearly chose your doctor because you trust his expertise. As long as he is a certified Invisalign provider and has many cases under his belt I am sure you are in good hands.

Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD
Chesterfield Orthodontist

Orthodontic expansion and Invisalign

Chances are, your doctors has done this before. Expansion at your age will result in dental tipping, which usually will relapse quickly. However, if your doctor is able to move the teeth out a certain distance, your corrected bite may keep the result stable enough until your recieve your aligners. It's hard to say without looking at your case, but ask your doctor, I'm sure he or she will have a great answer for you.

Mazyar Moshiri DMD, MS
Saint Louis Orthodontist

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