Is it ok to use jaw expander at age 22?

Question

My doctor offer me to use jaw expander. I am 22 years old and have Unilateral Cross bite.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

cannot help but comment on Dr. Lauson's comment!Where does he get the idea that skeletal expansion of the upper jaw is not possible in an adult is a "Myth"?As an orthodontist I have not seen any good scientific studies that show that this is possible...I would love for him to provide me with the studies that show that this is possible

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS · Answer

With the crossbite you describe, upper jaw expansion is most certainly required to get a stable result.  Upper jaw expansion can be accomplished at any age IF the right techniques are used.  It has been a long standing myth in orthodontics that expansion of the upper jaw can't be accomplished without surgery past ages 12-14.  Slow palatal expansion (SPE) with removable treatment appliances can be accomplished at any age.  RPE's (Rapid Palatal Expansion) attached directly to the teeth can dangerously push the roots of the teeth through the supporting bone structures because they push directly on the teeth and push faster than the bone can accommodate.  This RPE treatment has been shown to be unstable long term with as much as a 40% relapse rate.  That is why expansion past ages 12-14 has received such a bad rap.  The key is in the technique and the viable techniques use SPE with expansion pressures being placed directly in the roof of the mouth, right where the expansion is needed.

Is it ok to use jaw expander at age 22?

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Is it ok to use jaw expander at age 22?

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