How far into treatment did you get an expander?

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#1 Post by **scrubalinda** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:55 pm

I remember at my consultation, my ortho mentioned an expander. I've been wearing braces for almost a year now, and he's never mentioned it again. Just wondering, if it was something I was going to need, would he have already put one in by now, or could it be yet to come?

#2 Post by **jaswi** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:08 pm

From what I've been reading here it seems to be most people get expanders before braces or immediatly after getting them on. Maybe your ortho just rethought your treatment and decided against it?

#3 Post by **samantha_lou** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:22 pm

No braces for me until I am done with the expander

At least I won't have to deal with both at the same time though, that does seem like it would be quite a mouthful!

#4 Post by **stargirl** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:38 am

I had my expander for about 4 months before I got braces, and it stayed on for another 3 months after they were put on.
I don't think that there's any rule as to when an expander should be placed, but most people I know have had them before/at the beginning of treatment.

Hopefully that means you wont get one! I would ask your ortho so there are no surprises!
Good luck!

#5 Post by **ssfw** » Sat May 27, 2006 8:54 am

I got my expander placed for 4 months until the expansion was done, then got braces. My expander will stay in for a few more months to stabilize the expansion.

ssfw