Adult Palatal Expansion- A 22 year old's story

[Ouchies!]

Hi everyone, just registered here as I read a lot of posts as a visitor on palatal expansion in adults and thought my case might be helpful to others trying to research the topic.

So...I am a 22 year-old female and I was fitted with a bonded hyrax about three weeks ago. I had done a lot of research and voiced all imaginable concerns about tipping/flaring etc to my orthodontist. She told me that recent studies have shown that palatal expansion works and is safe in adults up to the age of 25. At the Cork University Dental Hospital (Ireland) this is part of their approach.

Well, I decided to go with the hyrax anyway rather than have teeth pulled. (I need space for fanged eye-teeth to come down). I have to turn it once a day and, to date, I have a surprisingly large gap between my front two incisors of about half a centimetre. Please note that I did not undergo SARPE. There has been no outward tipping of my molars and overall I am pretty stunned at the speed at which this has worked.

Anyway, I just thought that might be helpful to others worried about having this device fitted. Please remember though that I can't say anything about other expander types! I only have experience with the hyrax. My overall expansion will equal 7mm.

[bracesandcurapp]

Thats amazing congrats on being surgery free!

Is hyrex a new appliance? Why have I never heard of any orthodontists I have been to using it?

[Lena56]

Hey.. Was just wondering how your progress is going? Did the expander work? I'm 23 soon to be 24years old and just had a bonded hyrax expander put in.. Scared to death about my teeth tipping!

[BaroqueAndRoll]

Hi There! I'm 'Ouchies!' who posted this story!
Sorry I didn't reply sooner- I forgot the password to that account and I wasn't able to retrieve it!
So anyway, my expander came out two months ago and, yes, it worked shockingly well.
I don't think you should be scared- my orthodontist explained that it doesn't get tricky until over the age of 25 so thank god you're doing now! High five! :D She had to file around the teeth a little bit to help them fit but the space created with the expander was massive. I was able to fit a British pound into the gap! :P
My teeth didn't tip outwards so I can't see why yours would- given that we're very close to the same age. Please let me know how it works out for you! It's so fun to watch- I used to jump out of bed in the morning to see if there was visible movement! :D

[lillywag88]

[quote="BaroqueAndRoll"]Hi There! I'm 'Ouchies!' who posted this story!
Sorry I didn't reply sooner- I forgot the password to that account and I wasn't able to retrieve it!
So anyway, my expander came out two months ago and, yes, it worked shockingly well.
I don't think you should be scared- my orthodontist explained that it doesn't get tricky until over the age of 25 so thank god you're doing now! High five! :D She had to file around the teeth a little bit to help them fit but the space created with the expander was massive. I was able to fit a British pound into the gap! :P
My teeth didn't tip outwards so I can't see why yours would- given that we're very close to the same age. Please let me know how it works out for you! It's so fun to watch- I used to jump out of bed in the morning to see if there was visible movement! :D[/quote]


How is your progress now? Sadly, I am 25 and have a removable expander. I've only had it for 2 weeks and it's given my issues with my mouth. It dug into the roof of my mouth and caused a pretty large abrasion/sore on one side. I'm waiting on my new one to be made and the old one has been filed down enough to hold the expansion and let my mouth heal. If the new one doesn't work out then I'll have to get some extractions which I really don't want.

[BaroqueAndRoll]

Hi there! I actually got my braces off a few weeks ago! The expander didn't cause any fuss for me (other than having to readjust my diction), I'm sorry to hear yours is such a bother.. I had it on for a month and it was bonded to my molars so I couldn't take it out to eat or anything. I'm delighted I got away without extractions. Have you asked your orthodontist about SARPE surgery? It doesn't matter how old you are-they literally cut your palate open and BOOM, expansion achieved!

[lillywag88]

Oh wow, a month seems short. Glad to hear everything worked out though! Are you loving your smile?

I really want to avoid surgery. He hasn't brought it up and I don't plan on it either haha.

[Beckley816]

I love reading expander stories! I get my spacers in 9 days and appliance put in in 15 days! Woo hoo!

[kpw818]

Thanks for sharing this story. I am 26 and getting fitted with an expander on Tuesday. I've had a couple of orthodontists suggest the expander for me, so they either think I'm way younger or feel comfortable with it working!