Upper Palate Expander...Now??? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

CherylLynn24 · 09-18-2003, 01:12 AM

Hi,

My Son has a horrible bite...and for those of you that don't know me, he was in the middle of orthodontics when his problems began. (his braces were taken off prematurely due to this) We saw his Neuromuscular dentist last week for an adjustment and he said that if my Son saw no improvement within the next few weeks, he'd refer him to a fellow colleague of his (LVI graduate) that might help. It's been hard to get a splint to fit his mouth. A brief rundown:

His lower molars tilt inwards, the overcrowding is terrible, the 2 lower front teeth grew in behind the arch, also has impacted wisdom teeth. (thank goodness they aren't causing him grief as of yet) Also...underdeveloped lower jaw.

Upper arch is okay other than towards the back, the teeth are that of a roller coaster track, if that makes any sense.

Anyway, it seems that his upper palate became 'buckled' due to orthodontics. The dentist seems to think that if he wears an upper palate expander, it'll help out to make splint therapy more viable. I'm having a problem with this theory. Moving anything while in pain does not seem to be a good idea to me. Any thoughts?
Cheryl

totallyconfused · 09-18-2003, 06:21 AM

Cheryl,

Hi! It sounds like you have a lot going on right now. I know your fears about 'moving anything around' right now. It is a real worry.

All I really know about expanders is that they have Rapid Palatal Expanders, expanders that work more slowly, and functional expanders called ALF appliances I think. With the RPE, it works in usually about 6 weeks, but must stay in for up to a year or so to hold the expansion. The older the child is, the greater the chance that the bone sutures have already fused. Once the bones are fused usually the patient must have surgery to cut these sutures (or something like that) before they can have the expander. Some people have no problem with these expanders, but I have met an adult who had one as a child and said it was the most painful thing ever. The rapid ones may be more uncomfortable than the others. I'm not sure of the normal cut off date for 'needing surgery'. I think it can be anywhere from 12-18 depending on the sex of the individual, their growth, and who you ask. Just wanted to give you a heads up, as if this IS something he TRULY needs, you may want to look into it sooner rather than later.

Good luck Cheryl. I hope you are feeling well today. My monitor is giving me problems, so if I suddenly can't post you will know why I haven't gotten back to you.

Take care,
TC

[This message has been edited by totallyconfused (edited 10-29-2003).]

Puzzled · 09-19-2003, 09:42 AM

hi, if you look under dental problems on this board and search under expander there are a couple posts on this topic. I wish the best for your son - I have a 14 year old son too and I can't imagine if he was in pain daily.

CherylLynn24 · 09-19-2003, 11:25 PM

TC,

Thanks for the reply. How are you doing these days? As for the expander, I'm not so sure that I buy the surgery bit with age. I remember Marlene stating that she used an expander. Maybe she can clear this up if she sees this. This is something that I want to really read up on before committing to. Somehow, I don't agree with an expander of any sort while the patient is in pain.

Puzzled,
Thanks so much for the tip. I will go over to the dental board and read up on this.

Take Care,
Cheryl

[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 09-20-2003).]

Arleen · 09-19-2003, 11:49 PM

Hi Cheryl & TC:

How y'all doing? (don't I sound like I'm from the southern states

I haven't been posting much lately as I haven't been feeling great. Hope you're both doing well, and Mike.

I hadn't heard about palate expanders before, but it's good you posted. My nephew has braces, and some weird tooth that the dentist is trying to yank down out of his palate bit by bit. I so worry about whatever is being done to him. A palate expander was mentioned as possible treatment for him in future. I'm already worried that the choices made on him are the wrong ones and going to cause him many problems in the future, so would certainly like to hear whatever anyone can offer about expanders - good or bad.

As I say, Cheryl, I don't know anything about them, but it never seems like a good idea doing something that sounds major while Mike's bite isn't somewhat stable and out of pain. Let me know what you decide.

Take care,
Arleen