Yay! My expander came out today!!

Message

#1 Post by **HeyBartender** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:56 am

I was in NOOOO mood to go to the ortho this morning at 7AM. It's snowing, I was grumpy, and the last thing I wanted was another adjustment. But I made it there, and was met with the happy news that he was going to take out my palatal expander today!

I was supposed to be in it for 6 months, and today is just about 4 months. Suffice it to say, it was a shock and a surprise of the best kind.

It feels SO WEIRD to have all this space back in my mouth. Lettuce is back on the menu for me now! And I can say words that start with a "Q" sound without struggling! And I can swallow vitamins without them getting stuck and dissolving in the spacer (ewww!)!

Now granted, they had to double-chain my wire this morning too, as we're still working to move all my teeth to fill in the gap. And that is certainly going to hurt like heck later. But for now, i'm just reveling in the renewed use of my entire mouth.

I so wish NORMAL people understood how exciting this was for me!

#2 Post by **ren** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:01 am

Hey=that's such great news that you got that the X was taken out!! I still have mine in 1 1/2 years & counting(upper & lower)-that's so great! I will be doing a double happy dance when mine is FINALLY out. I cannot wait to have the roof of my mouth back too and eat those foods that get stuck (lettuce, tomatoes, straw, etc). I, too, cannot wait to say all of those words normally again!!!!

How long did it take him/her to take it out?? Did they snip it out or did they have to change the bands & everything??

You're totally right-NORMAL people wouldn't/don't understand what a huge deal this is-but I/we do!!

congrats!!!!!!!

Renee

#3 Post by **HeyBartender** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:05 am

Thanks!! It only took him about 3-4 minutes (of course it seemed like forever) to get it out, and involved drilling off the parts of the appliance that are soldered to the braces. So there were 4 pieces to drill off alltogether (2 on each side). It didn't hurt, but it was uncomfortable. And i'll be rinsing with mouthwash all day to get this metal taste/feel out of my mouth. Glad I have a normal dental cleaning scheduled soon so they can scrape off what was left of the metal from my teeth!

ren wrote:Hey=that's such great news that you got that the X was taken out!! I still have mine in 1 1/2 years & counting(upper & lower)-that's so great! I will be doing a double happy dance when mine is FINALLY out. I cannot wait to have the roof of my mouth back too and eat those foods that get stuck (lettuce, tomatoes, straw, etc). I, too, cannot wait to say all of those words normally again!!!!

How long did it take him/her to take it out?? Did they snip it out or did they have to change the bands & everything??

You're totally right-NORMAL people wouldn't/don't understand what a huge deal this is-but I/we do!!

congrats!!!!!!!
Renee

#4 Post by **Shoegal** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:48 am

Isn't it amazing the first time you hear yourself talk after it is removed!? I was so glad to hear ME agin. I went home and called my husband and he heard ME too!! I swear that was one of my best days!!!

#5 Post by **ren** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:05 pm

thanks for the info. heybartender! I'm glad to hear it's not as major as putting it on-which I remember was no fun at all!

shoegal-I actually started a list of words that I'm going to say when it's off! It'll be a great day

#6 Post by **joplin** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:09 am

I so wish NORMAL people understood how exciting this was for me!

Here's a big hug and congratulations from another abnormal person who's been on your boat and knows exactly what you're talking about!