Has anyone had any experience with palate expanders? One orthodontist recommends a removable on and one recommends one that is permanent. I'm confused about which way to go. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I've never heard of a removable palate expander. I had a permanent one as a teenager and personally think that a removable one would be a bad idea. It hurts a lot when you expand it and you'd be awfully tempted to take it out to give yourself a break and end up setting yourself back. Usually they don't give palate expanders to adults because you're bone won't fill in that space. They do surgery.
My son had a palate expander that was put in with cement.. it didn't hurt.. just felt weird... getting used to it took a few days.. I would turn it each day.. and then it finally would go no further.. and then they took it out.. after about 2 months -- it worked wonderfully. I think the kind they cement in is good.. that way your child can't take it out... it's there and they ahve to deal with it.. it wasn't bad at all.. just talked funny for a few days.. but most kids have them.. so everyone was nice about it.. good luck
I had a permanent one when I was 17. I think with a younger child the permanent one would be better because there is no risk of them taking it out if it becomes uncomfortable. Be ready for discomfort with lots of tylenol and cold soft foods.
I had a permanant one when I was a kid and honestly don't remember a whole lot about it, so it must not have been a big deal. We have three kids that are in various stages of orthodontia, and from my experience, the more permanant the appliance, the better. When they are able to take them out, there is a much greater chance of loss or breakage, and it becomes more of an option to not wear the appliance, which can lead to high levels of frustration on your part! I think that any of the appliances that are on the palate end up suctioning on and there isn't any issue with food getting stuck under it. Good luck!
I had a removable palate expander and so did my son. I don't know what a permanent one would be like, but the with the removable one I could take it out and clean my teeth and the expander properly. I could also take it out if I had a speech in school that I wanted to speak a little more clearly for.
Blessings,
T. E.
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My daughter wore a palate "stretcher" for about a year when she was younger. It made more room for her teeth and she never needed the braces.
