You are here:

Dentistry/Palate Expander

Advertisement

Expert: Stephen J. Moss - 11/5/2009


Question
I have an 11 year old grandson who has been through cancer treatments for a brain tumor called Medulla Blastoma.  A piece of his skull was removed on the lower back part of his head, and is now being held in with Titanium screws.  He has been in remission for 2 years now and is doing great.
A dentist has told my daughter that he needs to have a Palate Expander put in to correct his upper bite.  I have concerns anytime it affects anything above his shoulders.  What is your opinion?  The kid doesn't need anymore pain.

Answer
Dear Kim,

Don't know how I can be of much help here other than to point out that palate expanders are totally painless and relatively easy to wear. If he can deal with screws in the back of his head a palate expander is absolutely nothing in comparison.

I find children have great pain when they don't think that their appearance is a good as their friends.
Sorry to hear about his past problems, that's no reason not to give him a future with a bright smile.

All the best,

Dr.Moss

Dentistry

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Stephen J. Moss

Expertise

I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.

Experience

Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.

Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center

Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India

Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.