While braces can effectively treat many orthodontic problems, they may not be able to do all of the work on their own. If a patient has an especially narrow upper jaw or palate, your orthodontist may recommend a rapid palatal expander to improve treatment. 

You may be unfamiliar with this device and have many questions about what it is and why it is the best orthodontic treatment. In this post, our Bailey Orthodontics team will answer any question you have about a rapid palatal expander and care tips to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. 

What Is A Rapid Palatal Expander?

 A rapid palatal expander is a device commonly used in orthodontic care that widens the upper jaw. It is most commonly used on individuals with a narrow palate or jaw that causes crowding of the teeth, crossbites, breathing issues, and speech impairments. By using the rapid palatal expander, the two halves of the upper jaw and gently pushed away from each other, allowing the teeth to align properly. This device works best on children with still developing jaw bones, as the bone is easier to manipulate. 

Why Would You Need It?

As we discussed above, the rapid palatal expander is used to address a myriad of conditions caused by the narrow upper jaw and palate. These conditions include the following:

• Crossbites: If an individual’s upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down, also known as a crossbite, they may be a good candidate for a rapid palatal expander. With the rapid palatal expander, the upper and lower teeth are aligned. 
• Impacted Teeth: If there is not enough room in your jaw for a tooth to emerge, it may remain stuck beneath the gum line. With the rapid palatal expander, the jaw is widened, making room for the tooth to emerge. 
• Crowding: When the upper jaw is too narrow, teeth may overcrowd one another. This overcrowding can cause stress on the teeth, leading to tooth loss or gum disease. With the help of a rapid palatal expander, the teeth may migrate and align more properly. 
• Breathing Problems: A narrow upper jaw may lead to breathing problems, including sleep apnea and other breathing disorders. By expanding the palate, airflow is improved, and breathing problems are alleviated. 
• Facial Asymmetry: Rapid palatal expanders can help address developmental issues, including facial asymmetry, caused by a narrow jaw. The expander can aid in the proper development of the upper jaw bone. 
• Speech Impairments: Individuals with narrow jaws may experience speech impairments, including lisps. Expanding the palate can help correct these speech problems.

If you believe you would benefit from a rapid palatal expander, it is essential that you reach out to an orthodontist, who may perform X-rays and other diagnostic tests to determine if you are a good candidate. 

How Does It Work? 

A rapid palatal expander works by gently widening the upper jaw or palate through pressure on the bone. It is adhered to the teeth or with a band around the back tooth that is connected to the expansion device. Once installed, your orthodontist will explain how to activate the expander. Following these instructions, the jaw is gradually widened, using a screw and key to make small adjustments. During the process, you will maintain regular visits with your orthodontist to ensure proper progress is being made. 

What Does The Timeline Look Like? 

The timeline for your rapid palatal expander will vary depending on the severity of your orthodontic issue, your age, and your orthodontist’s determined care plan. However, the treatment begins with a consultation to discuss treatment options. Once the rapid palatal expander is deemed appropriate, the orthodontist will take dental impressions to customize your device to best fit your mouth.

Once the device is installed, your orthodontist will teach you how to activate the device and provide a schedule. Generally, patients will turn the screw one or two full turns every day for two weeks. Appointments will be scheduled throughout to ensure this schedule is most beneficial for your jaw and palate. Once the orthodontist determines you’ve reached the desired expansion, the expander will stay in the mouth to maintain the space and allow the bone to heal for up to 6 months.

While the timeline varies greatly from patient to patient, it is generally worn for a few months to a year. Your orthodontist will be your best resource for understanding how long this process will take. 

Does It Hurt?

It is not unusual to experience mild discomfort, especially during the initial introduction of the rapid palatal device. Patients may feel tightness upon installation and short bouts of discomfort following adjustments. However, they should subside quickly. They may also notice difficulty eating harder foods. If there is discomfort from the device, it is best to take over-the-counter pain relievers and rinse with salt water. Your orthodontist may also recommend a soft food diet that won’t exert pressure on your palate.

Care Tips

There are several things you can do to make this experience easier for yourself. By properly caring for your teeth and rapid palatal expander, you ensure that the process is most effective. To care for your rapid palatal expander, follow these tips:

• Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene: It is essential that you maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. Ensure your brush, floss, and rinse well around the device to clear away any food particles that may get stuck under it. 
• Avoid Certain Foods: Like when wearing braces, your orthodontist may recommend you avoid certain foods while wearing a rapid palatal expander. These foods include sticky, hard, or crunchy foods that may damage the device. It is best to eat softer foods, especially upon initial installation. 
• Watch Your Bite: You should be especially mindful of your bite pressure when wearing your rapid palatal expander. Biting down too hard may exert too much pressure on the device, leading to it breaking. 
• Avoid Touching: Touching or playing with your rapid palatal expander may lead to dislodgement or damage. Do your best to avoid touching the device with your fingers or tongue to keep it functioning properly.
• Practice Your Speech: If you experienced speech impairments that led to the use of a rapid palatal expander, practice your speech throughout the expansion process. Try reading aloud or speaking with others often to become more comfortable. 

It is important that you follow any tips provided by your orthodontist to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. If you have questions throughout the process, you should contact your orthodontic team as soon as possible.

Getting A Rapid Palatal Expander With Bailey Orthodontics

Bailey Orthodontics has a variety of resources available to our patients to ensure this process goes smoothly. In addition to our online resources, our team in Farmington and Bountiful is ready to answer any questions you may have in person and over the phone to ensure you get the most out of your investment in a rapid palatal expander. 

Bailey Orthodontics has recently reopened its Farmington location and looks forward to seeing you in this new and improved space for all of your orthodontic needs. If you have any questions about financing or would like to schedule a free consultation with our amazing Bountiful and Farmington teams, contact us today. 

If your child has an overbite, their orthodontist may have mentioned to you that they may need a Herbst appliance. While you’ve likely heard of many orthodontic devices on the market, you may be unfamiliar with this one. Before your child gets a Herbst appliance, there are likely several questions you have. 

Your orthodontic care is important, and we want to ensure that you are prepared for whatever procedure or device comes next. Our Bailey Orthodontics team wants to help you through this process and has answers to whatever questions you may have. 

Read on to learn more about what the Herbst appliance is and what to expect after its installation. 

What Is A Herbst Appliance?

The Herbst appliance, also known as a functional orthodontic appliance, is used by orthodontists to slow down the development of the upper jaw while encouraging the lower jaw to move farther forward. Your orthodontist will recommend getting a Herbst appliance if your child has bite irregularities, including an overbite. 

With a Herbst appliance and regular visits to your orthodontist, you don’t have to worry about your child struggling with rubber bands or wearing bulky, bothersome headgear. An added benefit to the Herbst appliance is that it is fixed in place, so there is no worry that it will be misplaced and treatment length will be prolonged. 

How Does The Herbst Appliance Work?

The Herbst appliance is made of metal tubes and rods attached to the upper and lower molars. Once installed, it encourages the lower jaw to move forward while applying pressure against the upper jaw to slow its movement. While wearing a Herbst appliance, the jaw is guided into a more forward position each time your child bites. 

Most often, the Herbst appliance is recommended for children between the ages of 9 and 14. This age range is optimal for the device because the jaw has not fully developed and is still easily manipulated into this forward position. 

How Long Do You Wear The Herbst Appliance?

There are many factors that impact the length of time a Herbst appliance is worn, including the severity of their bite discrepancy and how the jaw reacts to the treatment. However, the general timeline with the Herbst appliance goes as follows:  

• Initial Placement: Your orthodontist will assess the severity of bite irregularities and recommend the Herbst appliance. It is custom-made to fit the mouth and is then attached to their upper and lower molars. 
• Regular Adjustments: Over the course of 9 to 12 months, your orthodontist will make regular adjustments to the Herbst appliance to continue encouraging the lower jaw to move into the appropriate position. This timeline is tentative and could be shorter if the jaw responds more quickly than expected or the bite discrepancy is not so severe. 
• Transition To Braces: While your child may have worn braces during the process, they may also make the transition from their Herbst appliance to wearing braces to make further corrections to their bite. 

It is important to remember that this timeline is not set in stone, and some factors may impact the length of treatment. Your orthodontist will regularly monitor progress to ensure everything is going as expected. As long as you regularly attend orthodontic appointments and get regular adjustments, you should expect to see results in the estimated timeline. 

Will The Herbst Appliance Hurt?

Much like when your child gets braces for the first time, they may feel some mild discomfort immediately following the installation of the Herbst appliance. They will likely experience some soreness in their jaw as they get used to wearing the device. However, this pain should be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. 

They may also notice irritation on the inside of their cheeks as the device rubs against the skin. This irritation should subside quickly as the skin thickens to handle this consistent friction. While waiting for the skin to toughen, your child may want to rinse their mouth with saltwater to soothe the irritation. 

Your child may also struggle with sleep in the first few days after their Herbst appliance has been installed if they are a side sleeper. The device may press against their cheek in a way that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable to them. Sleeping on their back should relieve any discomfort, though you may need to experiment with pillow placement to make this easier. 

Getting A Herbst Appliance With Bailey Orthodontics

At Bailey Orthodontics, we do all that we can to make the process of getting a Herbst appliance as easy as possible. With years of experience, our team is confident that we can make the experience of getting a Herbst appliance easy and simple. Our Farmington and Bountiful offices are ready to help you through this process and are available to answer any questions you have over the phone or in person.

Bailey Orthodontics has recently reopened its Farmington office and is ready to serve you in this new and improved space. No matter your orthodontic needs, our team is ready to help. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our team in Bountiful or Farmington, contact us today.

After getting metal braces to help straighten your teeth, some activities and foods should be avoided. Braces are fragile and any damage to brackets or wires can set you back on your treatment schedule. Bailey Orthodontics in Farmington and Bountiful wants patients to know what their braces can handle and how to protect their teeth while wearing braces. 

Below are just a few of the dos and don’ts of braces that all patients should work hard to follow. Doing so will help your treatment go much smoother and help you avoid damage to your teeth as well. 

Do Avoid Sticky Foods

Caramel, candy, and other sticky foods can stick to your braces and be hard to remove. When you eat or try to remove these sticky substances, you could end up pulling brackets off your teeth or breaking wires. Avoiding extremely crunchy or sticky foods will ensure that your braces stay in good condition and can properly adjust your teeth. 

Don’t Bite Foreign Objects

Some people have bad habits of biting their nails or chewing on their pencils/pens. These habits can be damaging to your braces and your teeth. Biting on nonedible objects could lead to damage to your brackets or weaken their effectiveness. Many of these habits are done subconsciously so you may have to take extra caution to avoid these acts while receiving orthodontic treatment. 

Do Floss Daily

Flossing is important for all people, with or without braces. The dos and don’ts of braces need to include flossing because it is essential to having healthy teeth. Keeping your oral health in proper condition requires flossing, especially with the extra hardware on your teeth. Using flossing picks or water picks can help remove food particles from your teeth and protect your braces. 

Don’t Skip Orthodontic Appointments

Attending your appointments with your orthodontist will ensure that you are on track with your progress and that your braces are doing their job. These appointments are also a great time to address any problems you may be having with your braces. Skipping out on these appointments could lead to a longer adjustment process, causing you to wear braces for longer. 

Your orthodontist is also very busy, so pulling a no-call/no-show for your appointment can set them behind for the rest of the day. Try to schedule your appointment for a time and day that works best for you and if an emergency arises, call to let the office know you will not be able to make it. 

Do Wear A Mouthguard

Playing sports is possible while you have braces, but you will want to protect your mouth with something like a mouthguard when playing contact sports. A mouthguard will help prevent tooth knock out, cuts in your lips from brackets, or broken wires. If you are looking to play sports or rough activities while having braces, your orthodontist may be able to provide a mouthguard for added protection.

Don’t Remove Colored Bands

A major item on the list of dos and don’ts of braces is to protect your elastic bands. While your colored elastic bands may just look decorative, they are crucial to helping adjust your bite and the alignment of your teeth. Removing these elastics can change the course of your treatment. Unless otherwise instructed by your orthodontist, leave your elastics on until your next appointment. 

Do Rinse After Eating

Removing as many food particles as possible after eating will help prevent cavities or gum irritation. Rinsing out your mouth or brushing your teeth after eating a meal will help limit problems with your teeth. Rinsing out your mouth will remove loose food particles and limit bacteria in your mouth until you can brush your teeth thoroughly. 

Don’t Skip Wearing Elastics

Following the instructions for elastic wear from your orthodontist is crucial to keep your treatment on track. Your orthodontist is trying to align your teeth and make them look straight but is also aligning your bite.  This will often require wearing elastic bands.  If you want to get your braces off on time and keep your treatment on track don’t skip wearing your elastic bands! 

Additional Tips For Orthodontic Treatment

Bailey Orthodontics offers multiple blogs, resources, and virtual options to help patients of all backgrounds and ages. We want to ensure that your investment in braces is well protected by helping you know the dos and don’ts of braces. Our offices in Farmington and Bountiful also have friendly office staff that can answer your questions over the phone or in person. 

No matter what stage of life you are in, getting proper oral care is always worth it. Our orthodontists and staff are happy to be the experts you trust with your oral health. To learn more about financing, what services we offer, or how to take care of your braces, head to our website.