I'm curious as to the direct effects of palate expanders. I'm aware that they are used to widen intermolar width so that the tongue may properly and comfortably sit upon the roof of the mouth. However, other than this molar widening, do they have any direct effect upon moving the maxilla?
Check out this article for reference: /community/adult-palate-expansion-progress/
The guy talks about many amazing changes he's experienced after using the expander. Are these changes due to improved tongue posture because of the space created by the expander, or was the expander directly involved?
I'm curious to see what you guys think.
The effects on energy, mood, vitality, etc. that some people describe from palate expansion might be the result of improved nasal breathing, and better sleep (by opening/straightening nasal passages and keeping the tongue from blocking the pharynx). To be honest, I never noticed these kinds of changes from my 6mm of expansion. Although my intermolar width is still just under 40mm, so maybe I haven't expanded far enough yet. I did get significant improvements in facial symmetry. What changes are you wondering about specifically?
Are palate expanders necessary if I can maintain tongue posture during the day and even during sleep? Maxillary expansion at the median palatine suture which in 99% of cases never fuses even in old age occurs at about 1/4 mm per week maximum rate. So about 1 mm a month, mainly from constant light pressure on the maxillary palate.
Most expanders, apply pressure on the teeth, rapid expansion mainly moves the roots in the bone (orthodontics method) resulting in the teeth tilting. It also obstructs proper tongue posture...
To me it sounds like something ppl would use to acquire enough space for the tongue by tilting the teeth in order to mew properly.