Until the expander feels natural, serve foods that don't require a lot of chewing, such as yogurt, ice cream, pudding, soup or mashed potatoes. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste like Colgate® Cavity Protection and flossing daily is a must to protect against tooth decay. I don't want to hurt her!!!!! Food and debris can get caught under an expander. I had that problem too. Make sure that you put the key all the way into the hole. Get your answers by asking now. After about a month you can speak pretty well, and after about two you speak normally. After about a week with the brace things won't be sore, but learn to check and see if any stray bits of food stuck around :) You don't want your smile-in-progress covered with leftover sandwich. Good luck! Expansion screws are built into the appliance, and when activated, slowly separate and stretch the soft cartilage of the palate over the course of several weeks or months. I don't want to hurt her!!!!! Dr. Jorgensen explains that because the lower arch doesn't have a suture to close, the bone cannot be expanded; instead, the lower expander simply moves the teeth. This Site Might Help You. I have the key, and I asked the orthodontist exactly how to hold it, thought I understood how to put it in the small hole, turn toward the uvula until the next hole appears, etc. For either process to be safe and effective, there needs to be enough bone and gum tissue around the roots of the teeth. Therefore, orthodontist Dr. Cheryl Held recommends her patients use either a water jet or a special syringe, designed to squirt water under the expander in order to flush out debris. But the pressure will dissipate. Creating space so that big teeth fit into a little mouth means aligning the upper and lower jaws to meet properly, and this is the goal of an expander. You will know that it is in all the way if you let go of the key and it stays there. I worked for an orthodontist for several years and placed and turned tons of these appliances. If it is not done right she will have to wear the expander longer. You can call him/her on their home phone (you won't be bothering them, they get it a lot) and ask if you can make a quick appointment over the weekend. This pressure causes an increased amount of bone to grow between the right and left … This way you can see the expander better. Some appliances for lower jaw expansion look similar to those used in the upper arch, but some orthodontists prefer using removable retainers (sagittal appliances) with built-in expansion screws. © YYYY Colgate-Palmolive Company. She also encourages the use of a flexible palate cleaner that slides under the expander to push out food debris and excess material. Have a family member or other adult turn the expander for you to make the process easier. it will make very little difference in the out come of the case if you wait a few days to see them. The animation below will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander (fixed expander, NOT removable; these are adjusted outside the mouth). This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. You can sign in to vote the answer. Upper expanders are traditionally attached to the molars with metal rings, but they can be removable in certain cases. Ice cream and chocolate will be your best friends. I have the key, and I asked the orthodontist exactly how to hold it, thought I understood how to put it in the small hole, turn … Wearers of Braces: what can't you eat while wearing braces and what happens if u do eat those things. Prop her head up on a pillow so that her chin is up in the air. When you wear an expander, you will need to turn it at home daily for the expander to be effective. Whether your child has traditional braces or expanders, a regular routine of oral care is important. This is because the upper jaw is still malleable at this age to adapts to orthopaedic pressure. But, she is getting upset, and slipped twice! Other than that, unfortunately, you just have to wait until its over. I have the key, and I asked the orthodontist exactly how to hold it, thought I understood how to put it in the small hole, turn toward the uvula until the next hole appears, etc. And for patients that have trouble flossing because of their appliances, consider a floss threader or a new flossing tool called a FlossFish. What do you call the person that hands dentist tools? Look it up on www.whitepages.com, and you should find it. By simply activating the expander through turning a screw in the center, with a special key we provide, gradual outward pressure is placed on the left and right halves of the upper jaw. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Dr. Jorgensen opts for traditional fixed braces to tip and align the teeth at the same time, whereas others use lip bumpers or place a spring-activated wire behind the teeth. What are the downsides of dentures or false teeth? Otherwise the removal of teeth may be necessary for the best results. How long before gum inflammation goes away after deep cleaning for periodontal disease? When it is turned every day for a month, you have achieved 6 mm of upper jaw expansion. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Lower expanders will "upright" teeth that are tipped inward, and if they don't need uprighting, the device will "flare" the teeth over the edge of the supporting bone. An upper jaw expander stretches the bone and cartilage of the palate in order to expand a growing child's arch and prevent crowding and cross bites. This is because the upper jaw is still malleable at this age to adapt quickly to orthodontic treatment. While you can turn your expander yourself, it’ll be trickier to see the inside of your mouth. if you feel uncomfortable doing this, DON"T! And although wearing expanders can create homecare challenges, there are unique cleaning aides available to help your child keep his expander and teeth clean. I watched the ortho's demo, but it is rather tricky.? Teeth cleaning at dental office during pandemic? As expansion takes place, you may notice a gap form between your child's two front teeth; this indicates that the palate is actually expanding rather than the teeth just tipping outward. DOn't be worried about hurting her. How do you think about the answers? The only other option is to go to the orthodontist and have them turn it every day. Let her know that the only way it can hurt her is if she wiggles around and you can not see what you are doing. Have you tried eating an apple with no teeth? Unfortunately, not every child's jaw is big enough to accommodate his adult set, resulting in crowding and misalignment. After the expander is placed, your child may also have an excess of saliva, and speech may be affected as he adjusts to the feeling. Milkshakes are the best option because you can suck them up easily and they numb your teeth a little. It is really simple to do but very hard to see. I have swollen gums and they're making me sick. I watched the ortho's demo, but it is rather tricky.? An upper jaw expander stretches the bone and cartilage of the palate in order to expand a growing child's arch and prevent crowding and cross bites. 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[1] X Research source Try laying down on your back and having an adult turn your expander with the help of a flashlight if necessary. Contact me if you have any questions. Lower arches can also be expanded when teeth are crowded, but the function of a lower expander is different than that of the upper. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. A palate expander is used for a variety of reasons. Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. An expander may feel bulky and uncomfortable at first, and when screwed outward, kids may feel pressure on their teeth, roof of their mouth and sometimes behind the nose and eyes. ? If you really want to try before you can see the orthodontist have her lie back on the couch. According to orthodontist Dr. Greg Jorgensen , successful palatal expansion treatment is done before the child's growth plate or midpalatal suture fuses – usually between ages 14 and 16. Removing a tooth as a part of orthodontic treatment is one solution, but an upper or lower jaw expander can make room for your child's permanent teeth without extraction. An expander is usually placed no earlier then age 7 and no later than age 11 or 12. Ask a parent or other adult to turn the key, if possible. Still have questions? Also encourage your child to stay away from sticky foods and candy that may get stuck against the expander. take her back to the office, let the ORTHODONTIST, not the staff show you how to do this very important procedure. good luck. She will feel a slight pressue but make sure to reassure her that she has to be very still so that you can do it properly. All rights reserved. With each turn of the screw, the appliance widens 1/4 of a millimeter. An orthodontist will need to evaluate your child's overall orthodontic needs before deciding if this item will yield the best result and the most fantastic smile. But, she is getting upset, and slipped twice! The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. !, this is not your responsibility, it is the orthodontists responsibility. Between the ages of six and 13, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site, your child's baby teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth. What do I do? Growing patients may need an expander to widen their upper jaw to make room for permanent teeth, improve their upper and lower jaw alignments, or to enhance the look of their smile.