Got my expander in...

Message

#1 Post by **starryskys1** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:35 pm

Well, I got my expander in today. The ortho calls it a slow expander and says it is supposed to widen my upper arch (not expand the palate like in kids). No plans for surgery at this time. I am supposed to turn it every other day, but I am having a hard time locating the keyhole...ugh! So, after the ortho applied the expander, he left me for a few minutes to see another patient, and I cried. I then composed myself temporarily and at the end of the appt. I asked him if I couldn't do this could I just have the braces. He said yes, but to try not to think that way. Then I started crying again. I know I'm a big baby! I am having issues with speaking and extra salivating, which is really annoying. I work in human resources, so speaking clearly is a must. I've read various posts that it gets better in a few days or weeks, so I hope you all are right!

I don't feel concerned about what others think, but mainly just the speaking issue is bothering me. And, I'm finding that I can't let my tongue relax. I keep noticing that it is touching the "roof" of my mouth...a.k.a. the expander. I believe the expander is supposed to be in for 3-5 months, then I'll go for 4 extractions (either 1st or 2nd premolars - not sure yet), then I'll get braced. I wish that day were here now!

I've read a lot about the rapid expanders, but has anyone had the slow expander that can share their experience? I'm 26 and I am actually very excited about getting braces as I've lived with crowded/crooked teeth for the majority of my life. I'll post pics soon...

Thanks!
Jess

#2 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Thu May 22, 2008 6:38 am

Don't get down in the dumps about it. I didn't even turn my expander myself (seriously, how can anyone do it?

Someone'll post and advise on it, I bet)

Speaking does get easier, but be prepared to actively try and enunciate some words. I had trouble with 'k' and 'q' sounds, but generally got on just fine. My tongue also rested on thge expander. There's nothing you can do about that, but you'll get used to it. When I had the expander removed it felt really wrong not having a 'tongue-rest' anymore!

I had the surgery as well, and so in that sense you could say it's 'rapid', but I wore the expander for 5 months, so it's not that you'll be wearing it for longer, you'll just not be turning it as frequently if your ortho is aiming for a more rounded arch rather than an actual expansion.

Don't worry- soon you will be used to the expander and it will feel odd when you go to get in removed

#3 Post by **Hempstead** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:50 am

Hi, Starryskys1 -

I've had upper and lower expanders in for a little over two months now. When I got them in I wanted to cry. And then, when one of the molar-banded molars acted up and I found out I had to get a root canal on that tooth the next day with the expander in, I did cry. Right there in the chair. My mouth felt like a war zone after that. But not for too long.

Like you, I thought that if I'd known I would have to have the expanders in the first place, I wouldn't have gone through with ortho. I thought I'd never be able to eat solid food or say the word "strategy," which I say a lot in my line of work, again until the expanders were removed.

Here I am, two months later (and about to be braced this afternoon!). Please believe me when I say that it does get better: practice reading and talking out loud and speaking willl get easier - to the point of people not being able to tell you have them in. Practice eating solid foods and you realize that if you have a Waterpik, the world is your oyster. I honestly don't really notice them any more. The only thing is that you want to have a professional cleaning every day, just so you can feel like you've had a good cleaning.

Of course, getting them taken off will be fantastic. But I can wait until it's time and not worry about it too much.

I hope this helps. I really thought I wasn't going to be able to deal with these things, but I resolved to own them and now they're mine -- and they're fine.

Take care,
H.

#4 Post by **Gennel** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:10 am

Many of us here know exactly how you feel ,incluing me. I answer the phone in my homebased business and the first 2 weeks were really difficult for me and yes I cried,got teary eyed and often had a "lump in my throat" I never expected that I would have to ge an expander and wasn't told in my initial consultation. There was a whole lot for me to have to take in ,including thefact that I needed 9 extractions!
Some words were really difficult at first. I had to become very patient and speak slower. Speaking slowly and you will be able to pronounce the words better. I wanted them off in the first week but I accepted it not because this is what the ortho said I needed but I knew that I needed this seriously to fix my awful bite.

Things WILL get better trust me.For some people ,they feel better within a week for some within 4 weeks. For me it took at least 4 weeks until I finally figured out the exact spots that was causing real bad tongue irritation. Drinking the 6-8 glasses of fluids a day is VERY important! I was only drinking like 3 glasses a day and my tongue paid dearly for it .Wax did help and I used lots of it.For the first 2 months or so .Then I had no need for it anymore.

Gennel

#5 Post by **SunnyO** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:05 pm

Hi Jess - I have what is generally known as a rapid palate expander, but like you it is not being utilized in that way. My ortho just wants to widen my arch without separating the palate. I only turn mine every 3 days, so it is a slow expander. And because I live alone, (crazybeautiful -this is for you

) - yes I do it myself! The ortho had me turn it the first time in his office and I've never had a problem with it.

I've had it for 6 weeks now. I just got out of a weeklong class full of strangers where I had to get up and speak in front of everyone the very first day. By the end of the week after getting to know some of the people I showed a couple of them my expander and they said they never noticed anything about my speech. It does get better! Like Gennel said you have to learn to speak slower and more deliberately. If I get going too fast, my lisp reappears.

Just think of how fast a few months can fly by and know the results will be worth it. My sentence is 4-6 months - hopefully closer to 4!

Good luck!

Sunny

#6 Post by **starryskys1** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:32 pm

Well, it's been 5 1/2 weeks...I think I have pretty much made it! I sometimes have trouble with my g's, long e's and k's. So..."geek" is the hardest word, but I must say I can say it almost normal! =) First the ortho told me 3 mos, then 5 mos, and at my last appt. he said "usually 4 mos". So who knows how long it will be in, but I can do it! I'm sure I'll go through my emotional roller coaster when I get the 4 teeth pulled, but until then I will survive. I think the worst is eating lettuce and pasta! My husband laughs at me (lovingly) because it seems to always get stuck and nothing helps except really annoying sucking in or blowing out.

Brushing does nothing! Thank you all for your posts and advice! It has really been a big help.

One of these days I will get pics posted.