Gaps In Front Teeth From ALF appliance-Doubts about Dentist

[almondbutter]

My dentist mentioned before I got my ALF a few weeks ago that there might be gapping between my front teeth because of the treatment, but then I could just do veneers to cover the gaps. I said I didn't want gaps or veneers (grinding down perfectly good teeth and covering them with expensive porcelain veneers that might have to be replaced every 10 years does not appeal to me)

He said that we could use a myofunctional device to keep my front teeth together. I signed the contract and he ordered the ALF. When I brought up the myofunctional appliance as the ALF was installed initially, he exchanged some sort of glance with his assistant and said that we might see in the future if it's needed.

The ALF came out of place within 24 hours the first two times it was placed. The third time I made the 2 hour round trip to his office, he cemented it in place in the front and the back and now it hasn't come out again.

The third time I went out to the office for my ALF placement, he told me that there was no way to prevent the gaps, even with the myofunctional appliance and my "body" would decide where my teeth ended up, but he would fit me with the myofunctional appliance anyways because it is good to retrain my tongue and lips.

I have mild crowding in the front retroclined front inscisors, retruded teeth in my upper jaw due to prior orthodontia and headgear, a narrow arch and problems sleeping due to narrow airway.

Questions: Is it true that gapping in the front teeth is inevitable with the ALF? Was it unusual that my dentist had to place my ALF three times before it stayed in? If this were your dentist, would you be having doubts about him?

I worry that he told me that he could prevent the gapping with the myofunctional appliance in order to get me to sign the contract and that he is not experienced with the ALF due to us having to give it a third try to get it to stay in. I am worried that if I went to another dentist, he/she would in fact be able to prevent the gapping and I am setting myself up to get veneers or followup with Damon Braces if I continue with this dentist. I don't currently know of any other dentists in my area who offer the ALF.

It is two weeks in and I have a visible gap between my two front teeth.

[sirwired]

If my ortho told me shortly after starting that his treatment plan would lead to inevitable gapping that my "body" may or may not "decide" to correct, I'd ask for my money back and fire him. Especially since he's changing his tune about it being correctable shortly after getting your cash.

And I don't know precisely what sort of appliance he's referring to, as "myofunctional appliance" can mean a lot of things, but taken literally, it refers to an appliance that affects the movement of muscles. I'm a little fuzzy as to how that's supposed to fill a gap in the teeth; what muscles exactly is he hoping to re-train?

Where are you located? In the US, the ALF is usually only sold by general dentists. If your dentist is a general dentist (as opposed to an actual orthodontist) it sounds like he may be out of his depth.

Obligatory Note: I'm not a dental professional of any sort; just a random guy on the internet giving his opinion. Take my opinion with a proverbial grain of salt.

[Whythelongfacenay]

HI almond butter,

Interested about whether you continued with ALF and your dentist and the results post treatment? Did the myofunctional device help to close the gaps?

I am in a similar situation, I've had my dentist recommend the ALF and he has said he expects gaps between upper jaw teeth to arise because of mild upper spacing and has also suggested I may need bonding/veneers to make my small lateral incisors bigger (to fill in the gaps). I've also been recommended braces after the expansion, presumably and hopefully that will help to reduce spacing too.