Non Removeable Palette Expander Input!

Hi! I had one of those as a kid, and while it's never fun, it definitely does get better. I can't give you a specific timeline, but my guess is that within a week it really stopped bothering me. It seemed to me that the first few times I turned it, it was quite painful (basically teaching your palette bones to spread apart), but after that, the bones seemed to move very easily. In retrospect, I'm very glad I had one because I had a very small upperjaw. Hopefully you'll find it's worth the pain and trouble. Good luck!

I had one. Yes, it hurts. Some days more than others. However, it is worth it, his teeth will look great and be more healthy. He will get used to it and before you know it it will be over. The funny part is when food gets caught on top and he will make lots of noises to get it out. Pretty funny. Hang in there, not much you/he can do. I dont remember how long it took, but it did get better. Maybe sleep with his head elevated for a few nights. Less blood flow thus less swelling. good luck.

Hi Am,
I had one when I was younger. I remember it being painful for like the first 1-2 weeks. My dad worked late and would come home and turn the key right before I went to sleep. I can't remember if my parents gave me something to help me sleep at first but I remember it was nice 'cause I was able to sleep through the first few hours of discomfort.

It gets better and is worth it. Good luck!

~Kristal

I feel your pain... my daughter had the non removeable palette expander, and I felt like I was torturing her...
I can tell you though, the first week is the worst. Then it'll get better. Keep up on giving him the advil/motrin. My daughter had her expander taken off within the year and then the braces off the following year. She looks beautiful, it was very worth it.
(I had the expander when I was young and I remember being very uncomfortable too, but it will get better.) Good luck!

I had one 18 years ago. I never got used to it. I had to do 3 turns a day for I can't remember how long. I can handle pain prettey well, but that was terrible! I never took anything for the pain. I had a huge gap in between my two front teeth for my 8th grade graduation pictures. My M. wouldn't even give them out.

Sorry, I can only feel his pain, good luck.

You did the right thing in getting this. Any orthodontia is going to hurt at first. Ask any person who ever had braces and they will tell you they were pretty much miserable the first week or so- and after each adjustment too.
2 of my children have needed this and let me tell you the overall effect is well worth it. They were sore the first few days and then settled into it. Fortunately the turning is not for long (you probably have a few weeks of it at most) and then you just have to wait til it all settles into place. Re the spitting, etc, that is normal too for having a foreign object in your mouth.
He will be fine- and will pick up on your reaction to it all. Besides, this now means less time in braces with just as miserable results with each adjustment, right?
Good luck!
J.

My son is 8 and had a palette expander and tongue crib put in at the end of June. I had to tighten it 2 times a day for a week. after the week was over the ortho checked it and we are done tightening it. My son was in pain for that week, but he is now fine. he talks funny and still has a hard time with some foods, but he is adjusting. How often do you have to tur it. Maybe if you turn it once a day, you can give it a half turn twice a day. Check with the ortho and see what he/she suggests.