Does an expander fix a crossbite?

Like its name suggests, a palate expander works to expand the upper jaw, or palate. By expanding the upper jaw, this corrects the crossbite by allowing all the lower teeth to fit inside the upper teeth.

Can you fix a crossbite without a palate expander?

If you have mild or moderate crossbite problems, you may only need a removable expander and aligners. In fact, you could have such a low-risk crossbite that you do not need the expander unless you have cosmetic concerns about your teeth. Correcting even a mild crossbite can improve your oral health and self-esteem.

Do expanders fix underbite?

Though effective for teens and adults, the expander can work most efficiently in children whose bones are still forming. Tooth Extraction: If you have too many lower teeth, causing them to protrude, you might fix your underbite by having the extra teeth pulled.

Do expanders give you a lisp?

Most patients have a small lisp when they first get an orthodontic expander. However, it is usually short lived and most patients go back to talking normally very soon. The tongue will quickly adapt to sharing the roof of the mouth with the expander and soon after nobody will be able to hear a difference.

Does a palate expander change your nose?

Rapid maxillary expansion produces a significant skeletal transverse expansion of nasal region in growing patients. No significant differences in nasal effects are expected when the appliance is anchored onto deciduous teeth, with or without the palatal acrylic coverage.

At what age should a crossbite be corrected?

The dental community is split on when to initiate treatment for a crossbite, with some suggesting treatment should begin as soon as it is noticed (sometimes as early as age three), while others suggest parents should wait until a child’s sixth year molars have arrived.

What happens if a crossbite is not corrected?

If left untreated, crossbites can cause a myriad of health problems. Along with dental issues such as teeth grinding, irregular wear to the enamel, and loss of teeth, crossbite patients report developing headaches and muscle tension from the abnormal stress placed on the jaw.

How long do palate expanders stay in?

Typically, an expander will be in place for about 9 months total time. This may vary from child to child depending on his or her needs.

When to get a palatal expander for a posterior crossbite?

For a posterior crossbite in a child, a palatal expander is the Gold Standard for true skeletal correction. Palatal expanders are necessary to correct skeletal jaw discrepancies. When the upper jaw is more narrow than the lower jaw, your child will have a bite problem. This includes a crossbite on one side or both sides in the most extreme cases.

How does a palate expander work on your jaw?

You’ll be given a key to turn the screw, rotating it, on a specified schedule. This keeps pressure on both halves of the jawbone, causing them to widen and move apart. Palate expanders are custom made. The orthodontist will take an impression of the upper jaw and teeth.

Can a misaligned palate cause a crossbite?

The altered shape of the palate can lead to the misalignment of teeth and the development of a crossbite. Crossbite treatments for children and teens should be addressed as soon as possible because it can have an impact on the way their facial features, jaws, and airway develops. If need be, crossbite treatments are available to adults.

What kind of braces are used for crossbites?

There are five types of palatal expansion treatment, but in case of crossbites, the Rapid Palatal Expander with the help of invisalign or traditional braces will perfectly do the job and fix the crossbite. This treatment is all about widening the upper jaw and expanding the teeth arch give the teeth a chance to move where it has to be.