Much Confusion on Adult Palate Expansion

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#1 Post by **Hendrickx** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:17 pm

Hi all,

I am curious to hear if anyone on this board has had a palate expander as part of their ortho treatment WITHOUT having the sarpe surgery?

I had braces as a teenager but never had a palate expander, even though I definitely should have since I have always had a narrow palate.

I recently signed up for ortho treatment again in May at the tender age of 26 and as part of the treatment I just had a palate expander placed three weeks ago. The orthodontist told me my teeth would need to be expanded 4-6mm to correct the narrow bite and a crossbite. For the first week with the expander I turned the screw once per day, and for the past two weeks I have turned it once ever other day.

I am confused because I have read conflicting information regarding this palate expansion in adults. Some research states that the palate expansion can be successful if the treatment is done slowly(which mine has been at only once every other day), and some research states that it is very risky and can result in the teeth being uprooted/bone being damaged.

Can anyone bestow your wisdom on my regarding this subject? I have definitely noticed my upper teeth have widened, but I have no gap between the front teeth like many others have stated, so apparently my teeth are shifting, rather than the palate; however, I have not experienced any extreme pain that would be indicative of teeth/bone being damaged.

Thanks again for anyone who can help.

-Mark

#2 Post by **PaperFlowers** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:46 pm

Hello. I had to get surgery in order to expand my palate, but I'm pretty sure that there have been cases of successful palate expansion without surgery in adults. From what I know, it can be risky and often results in the teeth moving outwards instead of the palate. My surgeon explained to me that there is a "zipper" which develops in your later teens and bonds the palate together, and that the "zipper" had to be surgically separated in order for the palate to expand. Some orthodontists feel otherwise. I guess you'll have to trust your orthodontist, since he has probably dealt with many cases like yours and knows what he's doing (hopefully!).

Good luck with everything!

#3 Post by **RachelP** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:29 pm

I tried to use the palatal expander without surgery and it did not end up working for me. We decided to stop because it was about to uproot one of the teeth it was connected to. I am 24-years-old. But that doesn't mean it won't work for you necessarily...I would just advise that you be prepared for surgery just in case. If you don't already have an oral surgeon, get one. Have them file a predetermination of services with your health insurance company for SARPE surgery. This will get that process started just in case. It has taken me three months to hear back from my insurance company (unfortunatly they denied the claim) - and some people have said it takes longer. So I would suggest you get the ball rolling just in case.

Good Luck!

#4 Post by **RachelP** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:29 pm

I tried to use the palatal expander without surgery and it did not end up working for me. We decided to stop because it was about to uproot one of the teeth it was connected to. I am 24-years-old. But that doesn't mean it won't work for you necessarily...I would just advise that you be prepared for surgery just in case. If you don't already have an oral surgeon, get one. Have them file a predetermination of services with your health insurance company for SARPE surgery. This will get that process started just in case. It has taken me three months to hear back from my insurance company (unfortunatly they denied the claim) - and some people have said it takes longer. So I would suggest you get the ball rolling just in case.

Good Luck!

#5 Post by **ang** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:57 pm

hi i'm 28 years old and have been told that i need and expander. one srtjo told me surgery and the other said we can do it without surgery? i had braces when i was young for 3 years and my ortho then was obviously a quack because my palette has always been high.
My question is, is the expander painful. what should i expect?? thanks

#6 Post by **decisionmade** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:03 pm

While I am not a doctor I have done much research on the subject since i had the surgery this past summer and am very pleased with the results...I have been posting on this site since before surgery under "decisionmades story"..perhaps reading some of my posts there willl be of help to you.. good luck to you in whatever you decide.
-
D.M

#7 Post by **mp1985** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:04 pm

I am a 33 year old male, and need braces. I went to 2 orthodontists, and both told me I had to have the expansion surgery. I just had it 4 days ago, and it hasn't been that bad. They said I would have nose bleeds for a week, but I only had them for about 3 days. I didn't have much pain at all. The only pain I had was the first couple of days it hurt to swallow just like when you have a sore throat. I still have half a bottle of Pecocets! The only thing that sucks is that I can't eat anything solid for about 4 weeks. I just discovered I can eat Macaroni and Cheese! What a great day! Everybody tells me I will be so glad I did it, so I just keep thinking about that.

#8 Post by **Delag** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:31 am

Hi Mark! You have found the best place on the web for SARPE information. Several people here have started blogs to track their progress (Brandy's is especialy good). Candygrrrl is the one person I know of on the board who is expanding without surgery. Look about 8 posts down the board and there is a post about surgical vs. nonsurgical expansion.

In my case I can't even find an otho who would be willing to attempt a non surgical expansion (I'm 38). They say the risk of damage to the teeth is too great and there may be long term complications even if the expander works (I think gum problems were mentioned). My sister used an expander in her twentys and now in her 40's her crossbite is back. I still have not made up my mind....

#9 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:46 pm

If you read the SARPE post above, I think you will find a lot of info regarding the actual procedure itself. From what I have been told the stability of surgical expansion is supposed to be better. Less liklihood of the palate returning to the regular position as the space is filled in with new bone growth as it heals.

Brandy

#10 Post by **candygrrrl** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:12 pm

Hi there!

I'm getting expanded without surgery. I've posted quite a bit about the procedure's pros and cons, my decision try an RPE without surgery (in fact, my orthodontist advised against it after the third week â€“ said I was doing so well that surgery was more of a risk) and my progress so far.

Just got back from ortho today who said I'm doing great â€“ no loose teeth, no gum recession, no pain, no headaches. I've expanded 5mm and the docs want a few more. Couple more weeks and then this thing "sets" for another 12-16 weeks.

Other members of this board who are undergoing non-surgical expansion are summergirl and jaws, I think. You can do a search for their experiences.

Best of luck with your treatment!
Candy

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Much Confusion on Adult Palate Expansion

Much Confusion on Adult Palate Expansion

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