orthodontic upper palate expansion -- has anyone tried DNA?

[parrotfish2]

I'm curious to know if anyone has experience with this. Most medical people claim that it absolutely won't work with adults because their palates are fused and can't be expanded. It hasn't been studies for outcomes and and some of the claims on various websites sound somewhat crackers. On the other hand, if it DID work it would fix the problem - at least my problem, which seems to be a too-small upper jaw.

[SleepingUgly]

I haven't researched it in adults. I've only heard of it used in kids. It may be that it can be done in adults, but only in conjunction with other surgeries. I don't know.

[Snore-question]

I had my palette expanded as an adult. I know a palette expander can be used to treat adults who have narrow palettes, which I had. Orthodontists can't guarantee anything, but there was never a question about the palette expander not working because I was an adult. I had an older model called a Hirax. I snored--even as a child--and I think the palette expansion did help my snoring.

[Janknitz]

My youngest daughter had EXCELLENT results with a palate expander, but she was 8-9 years old when she had this treatment--things were definitely still mobile in her structure. ETA--the system used to expand her palate was called the "Damon System"--it was quick, easy, and painless, and no awful thing in the middle of her mouth that had to be adjusted daily.

The orthodontist said that he could treat mine as well. We don't have the money for that (DD needs a second phase of orthodontia and that's where the money will go), and I'm not convinced it would work at my age, despite his assurances.

I'm very pleased to have been able to do this with my daughter and hopefully she will not need CPAP as I do. In her second phase she will also have an appliance (Herbst applicance) to advance her receded lower jaw. No surgery!

[SleepingUgly]

In her second phase she will also have an appliance (Herbst applicance) to advance her receded lower jaw. No surgery!

I have heard mixed things about whether the Herbst appliance "grows" the lower jaw. (Sorry to hijack) I am not sure what to think about this, and it may be something on the table for my kid down the road...

[Janknitz]

It does seem "too good to believe" but I'm hoping.

The surgery seems barbaric. I talked to someone about doing it once myself and NO WAY--NEVER!!! It's a long, hard surgery, long, hard recovery process, and then you have to do orthodontia all over again. I'll take CPAP over that any night!

If it doesn't work, my daughter will have to decide when she's an adult what she wants to do.

[nanwilson]

My daughter had it done when she was in her teens............it was VERRRY painful.

[minniesc]

I had orthodontia treatment with a palate expander at the age of 28. It was somewhat painful, but only if my "key" was turned too much in a day. Other than that, it really wasn't bad. However, it did not improve my apnea, obviously. Sorry.
Sharon

[VikingGnome]

I had my palate expanded at age 28 using "Haas" appliance. My orthodontic treat took four years. Now that I'm 50 something, you wouldn't guess I ever had orthodontic treatment. My are misaligned but my palate is wider.

I don't know what "problem" you are trying to solve by expanded your upper palate. But it's not going to do much for OSA.

[SleepingUgly]

In theory, expanding the maxilla also expands the nasal vault, at least in kids. I don't know if that's possible in adults. I just haven't looked into it.

[chunkyfrog]

My orthodontia pulled in my 'buck' teeth enough to stop the teasing.
That's all they knew back in the 60's.
My great-niece is getting the works--maybe she won't need the machine her grandpa has.

[Janknitz]

Funny timing of this thread-- I took my daughter to the orthodontist last Thursday and he said she will start with the Herbst appliance pretty soon. She has to get some oral surgery first. Two back lower molars are sideways and they have to be turned surgically, and we're pulling her wisdom teeth at the same time--UGH!

Her brushing and flossing were not great, and our orthodontist said that he can even do the Herbst appliance with a retainer if she doesn't get better at the hygiene (she has mild fine motor coordination issues), although it's not as fast and effective. I was surprised to learn that, and it might be a good option for adults to look into. He felt that there was a very good chance this would bring her lower manidible forward some--even a few milimeters can make a difference.

In my day they pulled teeth and pushed everything back. What a disaster! All that did was make my mouth even more narrow, and impact my airway more.