Alexis (12) is getting a palate expander put in on Wednesday morning and I am wanting to know if anyone has had any BTDT with these? I don't know much about it except it is supposed to give her more room in her mouth because she doesn't have enough room for the teeth she has.

Is this going to hurt? Most of all when I have to turn that key thing is she going to be in pain? I asked the dentist and of course Alexis was sitting right there so I don't know if he was completely truthful but he said it wouldn't hurt.

My mom says she has heard horror stories of kids screaming when their parent turns the key because it hurts sooo bad.

Now I am scared to death that I am going to have to hurt my baby...

By Vicki on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 10:00 am:

I have heard it does hurt. I honestly can't believe that it wouldn't be at least uncomfortable! We thought dd was going to need one, but her ortho said that her mouth is too small to be able to expand it enough by doing that. So she is going to have to have teeth removed.

By Breann on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 10:03 am:

Here is a great article on the expander.

http://www.orthonj.com/rpe.html

It says it may be uncomfortable while turning the key, but usually doesn't hurt.

My little boy is just 5, but the dentist says we can plan on heavy orthodontic work because his mouth is so small.

Good luck to you!

By Pamt on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 10:13 am:

My sister had one. Hate to tell you, but I have vivid memories of her screaming as my parents held her down on their bed to turn the key. Of course, she was also a drama queen--LOL. I also remember her talking about food getting stuck on the bar too.

By Marcia on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 11:29 am:

I have 2 kids who have braces, so we're in the orthodontist office often. I've talked to many parents who have kids with expanders, and they have all said they're not really bad at all. I know that when my kids get their wires tightened, just like when I had mine done 30 years ago, it hurts. I give them tylenol or ibuprofen before we go. They are sore for the day, and maybe the next day, but that's it. Even with that, it's really just the first few times that are so bad, because of the huge amount of movement that takes place so quickly. I'd give her a dose before going. Our ortho gives it out to the parents of kids who didn't think to give it before hand.

By Kay on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 01:08 pm:

My oldest daughter had one of these put in when she was in 6th grade. Within a few days, she had a large gap between her two front teeth - she was a little setlf-conscious, but it made the room she needed for her teeth to be straightened.

The key-turning was no big deal - she opened her mouth wide,tilted her head back and I took the key and turned it = no pain on her part.

She didn't complain about pain - the gap was her biggest gripe.

By Crystal915 on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 06:27 pm:

I had one, and yes, it hurt. I still had to have adult teeth removed to make room, and it's a decision I regret. I was about 9 when I had the stretcher, if I remember correctly, so my mom helped me turn it twice a day. I never had a gap in my teeth, though.

By Vicki on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 06:48 pm:

Crystal, can I ask you why you regret having the adult teeth removed? The way my ortho explained it to me reguarding dd, we really don't have a choice. She has a tiny mouth and big teeth. Just not enough room. He explained that if we did the expander, her teeth/mouth would end up being a very wide U shape instead of the normal U shape in order to accommodate all her teeth. The way dh and I see it, if we are going to spend all this money for her to have perfect teeth, we don't want her mouth shape to be off. Just wondering what the other side of this issue was if you don't mind me asking.

By Crystal915 on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 10:06 pm:

Well, I have soft teeth, and my molars have basically been destroyed over the past 6 years, so having those healthy molars out meant less healthy teeth to compensate. I'll need implants in the near future.

By Marcia on Monday, April 9, 2007 - 11:13 pm:

My youngest daughter had to have 5 permanent teeth removed before getting her braces. What a difference it's made!

By Tarable on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 03:38 pm:

Well she got the expander put on this morning and she said it didn't hurt at all, but we don't start turning it for a month... I am really not sure why we are waiting that long to start this but I am sure the dentist knows better than I do.

Thank you for all the advice, even the stuff that scared me to death, LOL.

By Debbie on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 06:59 pm:

I'm glad it wasn't painful for her. The son of our friends had this. He said it didn't really hurt when the key was turned, it was just uncomfortable. I hope it is the same for your dd.

By Melanie on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 01:27 pm:

Sorry I am late getting in here. I am glad to hear the first part went okay for her. Ds had one at the beginning of the school year. I turned it a half turn, twice a day. The first couple of times he said it was uncomfortable, but after that he said it was fine. He always cooperated and even reminded me when it needed to be done, so that tells me it really wasn't a big deal for him. It's interesting that you have to wait a month before turning it...we started the next morning. But as you say, I am sure the dentist knows best!

By Colette on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 12:43 pm:

Is this something you get before braces? or when you already have them? Just asking because I brought ds in for a routine adjustment the other day and they ended up giving him headgear that he has to wear 14 hours a day. I was surprised to see him with this and I would prefer not to get any more surprises like this.

By Crystal915 on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 03:26 pm:

It's usually done before braces, and it's a specialized treatment if your palate is too small for your adult teeth.