sailsablazin

All 4 of my children had to have upper palate expanders.
Only one child complained of any discomfort. All have great teeth after years at the orthodontist's office. I truly believe that I paid for his vacation home...but they put you on payment plans and are so great with children.
I believe that only orthodontists' (dentists who do braces)are the only ones who install the appliances. Usually the younger that you expand, the easier it is to expand. One daughter had the expander in first grade. You get used to turning the "key" and then seeing the big gap between the front teeth that comes with the expansion...don't worry, the teeth do move back in place...usually a better place.

kjdavis4

My son wore one on his upper palate. It did help alot. The only significant discomfort he had was when it was applied. After that it was OK. Don't remember how long he had to wear it. Good luck.

1screech

My daughter had one when she was about 6...it was called a lip bumper. Her teeth came in perfect unlike my sons. However, she started developing an overbite at about 14 and ended up having to have braces to keep the overbite from expanding and causing headaches.

carslo

My daughter had them, and while uncomfortable she was so pleased with all the pain in the end. After she was finished with the 2.5 years of braces etc she has a beautiful smile - she never smiled much before as her teeth were so crooked.