Side effects of palate expanders are usually temporary and short-lived. However, they can also be more serious. Risks include:6
- Discomfort during treatment
- Speech changes
- Traumatic separation of the midpalatal suture (the central fusion of the hard palate)
- Lack of cooperation
- Bite opening (a gap between top and bottom teeth when the mouth is closed)
- Relapse (palate shifts back out of position)
- Root resorption (when the body’s immune system dissolves a tooth’s root, which can occur with orthodontic pressure)