I'll be following your story with much interest- good luck!Should I have teeth extracted or implanted?
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hi, thanks for your post!
No, unfortunately, i keep putting it off, i'm obsessive about doing it right, maybe a little too much so
Is your expander called a schwartz, by any chance? Thats what I was offered, but by a dentist, so wasn't sure- don't want surgery! Was also wondering do you by any chance get headaches, neck pain or anything? I do,. and its been attributed to my bite. Seeing as our bites look almost identical thought you'd be a good person to ask!
No, unfortunately, i keep putting it off, i'm obsessive about doing it right, maybe a little too much so
Is your expander called a schwartz, by any chance? Thats what I was offered, but by a dentist, so wasn't sure- don't want surgery! Was also wondering do you by any chance get headaches, neck pain or anything? I do,. and its been attributed to my bite. Seeing as our bites look almost identical thought you'd be a good person to ask!
Printemps, wow! Are you saying that we're "bite twins"?! 
I'm not sure my expander is called "schwartz". The ortho didn't use that name. I don't have it in yet but when I saw it on the models at my ortho's office, it didn't look scary. However, I read scary stories here about expanders and I'm getting very nervous. Once I get it, I can post pictures and let you know how it is. Currently i have no pain in my jaw, neck or headache.
I totally hear you when you say that it's hard to make a decision. When you look pretty normal otherwise, it's hard to take a risk by making a wrong decision. I think once you find an ortho you're comfortable with, you'll make a step forward. The decision period has been really hard for me and I can't imagine being able to sit on this for years - what a torture! Hope my case helps you make a decision!
I'm not sure my expander is called "schwartz". The ortho didn't use that name. I don't have it in yet but when I saw it on the models at my ortho's office, it didn't look scary. However, I read scary stories here about expanders and I'm getting very nervous. Once I get it, I can post pictures and let you know how it is. Currently i have no pain in my jaw, neck or headache.
I totally hear you when you say that it's hard to make a decision. When you look pretty normal otherwise, it's hard to take a risk by making a wrong decision. I think once you find an ortho you're comfortable with, you'll make a step forward. The decision period has been really hard for me and I can't imagine being able to sit on this for years - what a torture! Hope my case helps you make a decision!
Hee hee! Bite twins Thanks, I can't tell you how encouraging it is for me to have found your story!! I have begun to search around for potential orthos, but I'm going to study abroad i September, so that complicates matters slightly...
Curious as to how things are going with your treatment.. have you started yet?
Thanks, I can't tell you how encouraging it is for me to have found your story!! I have begun to search around for potential orthos, but I'm going to study abroad i September, so that complicates matters slightly...Curious as to how things are going with your treatment.. have you started yet?
My treatment is starting
Hi Printemps! Sorry for the little delay in responding, it just has been hectic for me the last few days and didn't get a chance to post an update.
Here's a little update for the last 10 days. After a thorough discussion with my ortho, we decided that we'll give the expansion a try and so I had all impressions taken for preparation of the removable expanders. Then I did get a very cold reaction by my family and this made me rethink my last visit with my ortho. He just didn't feel that comfortable with the decision. It felt like he was taking this path with the implants just because I wanted so. It didn't give me the nice feeling of confidence that I needed. So I decided to seek another ortho for a second opinion. I remembered that a colleague of mine strongly recommended an old ortho that has more than 30 years of successful practice in my city. So I contacted him and was able to get an appointment right on the following day. I was thinking that as he has been practicing for such a long time, probably he'd be quite conservative and would recommend that I do the extractions because that's how it has been done in cases like mine for many years. Well, I was wrong. I didn't tell him what my dilemma was and just asked him for his opinion first before I explained the two options I was torn between. He examined my teeth, the bite, my lips, my profile, measured few things with a little ruler and then concluded that I need an expansion of the upper arch and probably implants. He pretty much told me the same stuff as my ortho with the only difference that he'd use a different method for expansion - he'd do it with Damon self-ligating brackets instead of the expanders. He also mentioned that there's a risk the expansion to fail and then I'll have to stick with the alternative plan and do the extractions. You can't imagine what huge comfort this assessment gave me!
So I was able to make my original appointment with my ortho on March 31 (remember that originally I was supposed to get my brackets on that date) and we went through the whole plan again. My ortho knew that I went for a second opinion and handled it very professionally! He actually complemented me for doing so and said that it was a great idea. Of course, he asked what the other ortho said and I told him. He said that the expansion with the Damon brackets is also a good option but he thinks that in my case he'd achieve better results with the expanders because the brackets would only tip off the teeth while the expanders would slightly move the bones with the teeth.
A week ago I had a root canal on one of my molars so I'm still a little sensitive when I chew on that tooth. My ortho gave me the expanders and adjusted them but recommended that I wait until any sensitivity from the root canal treatment is gone before I start wearing the expanders. I have to wear them for 4-6 months before we know whether I respond enough to open up the spaces we need for the implants. When the ortho put the expanders for the adjustment (top and bottom), they didn't feel that bad, not as bulky as I thought they'd be. However, I feel like they'll irritate me and scratch my mouth all over. Also I tried talking and I sound terrible! It's like somebody else (a kid), not me! What actually surprised me is that the ortho said that I need to wear them 14-16 hours/day which means I can take them off for most of the hours at work and not worry that they'd affect my professional life. I do meet with people every day and being able to talk is important for my job.
My next visit is in 3 weeks. I don't want to waste time anymore and although I know it will hurt, I wanna start wearing the expanders already. May be I'll be able to start on Saturday - this way I'll get used to them over the weekend and go to work with them on Monday for few hours so people start getting used to my new way of talking
I may post pictures of the expanders soon. They look tiny in comparison to what I was expecting! Still lots of plastic though...
Here's a little update for the last 10 days. After a thorough discussion with my ortho, we decided that we'll give the expansion a try and so I had all impressions taken for preparation of the removable expanders. Then I did get a very cold reaction by my family and this made me rethink my last visit with my ortho. He just didn't feel that comfortable with the decision. It felt like he was taking this path with the implants just because I wanted so. It didn't give me the nice feeling of confidence that I needed. So I decided to seek another ortho for a second opinion. I remembered that a colleague of mine strongly recommended an old ortho that has more than 30 years of successful practice in my city. So I contacted him and was able to get an appointment right on the following day. I was thinking that as he has been practicing for such a long time, probably he'd be quite conservative and would recommend that I do the extractions because that's how it has been done in cases like mine for many years. Well, I was wrong. I didn't tell him what my dilemma was and just asked him for his opinion first before I explained the two options I was torn between. He examined my teeth, the bite, my lips, my profile, measured few things with a little ruler and then concluded that I need an expansion of the upper arch and probably implants. He pretty much told me the same stuff as my ortho with the only difference that he'd use a different method for expansion - he'd do it with Damon self-ligating brackets instead of the expanders. He also mentioned that there's a risk the expansion to fail and then I'll have to stick with the alternative plan and do the extractions. You can't imagine what huge comfort this assessment gave me!
So I was able to make my original appointment with my ortho on March 31 (remember that originally I was supposed to get my brackets on that date) and we went through the whole plan again. My ortho knew that I went for a second opinion and handled it very professionally! He actually complemented me for doing so and said that it was a great idea. Of course, he asked what the other ortho said and I told him. He said that the expansion with the Damon brackets is also a good option but he thinks that in my case he'd achieve better results with the expanders because the brackets would only tip off the teeth while the expanders would slightly move the bones with the teeth.
A week ago I had a root canal on one of my molars so I'm still a little sensitive when I chew on that tooth. My ortho gave me the expanders and adjusted them but recommended that I wait until any sensitivity from the root canal treatment is gone before I start wearing the expanders. I have to wear them for 4-6 months before we know whether I respond enough to open up the spaces we need for the implants. When the ortho put the expanders for the adjustment (top and bottom), they didn't feel that bad, not as bulky as I thought they'd be. However, I feel like they'll irritate me and scratch my mouth all over. Also I tried talking and I sound terrible! It's like somebody else (a kid), not me! What actually surprised me is that the ortho said that I need to wear them 14-16 hours/day which means I can take them off for most of the hours at work and not worry that they'd affect my professional life. I do meet with people every day and being able to talk is important for my job.
My next visit is in 3 weeks. I don't want to waste time anymore and although I know it will hurt, I wanna start wearing the expanders already. May be I'll be able to start on Saturday - this way I'll get used to them over the weekend and go to work with them on Monday for few hours so people start getting used to my new way of talking
I may post pictures of the expanders soon. They look tiny in comparison to what I was expecting! Still lots of plastic though...
Hey Ivette,
That's great news on the 2nd opinion, and on getting your expanders, and that you don't have to wear them 24/7. I'm excited for you!
You mention your family had a cold reaction. Here are a few possibilities. They may worry the treatment will be difficult, painful, unsuccessful, risky, have complications etc. They may think it's unnecessary and a waste of money. Or your parents may feel guilty that they allowed the dentist to extract those teeth when you were a kid, or that they did not get you braces as kid. Think about do any of those fit and try to see their point of view to understand their reaction. Maybe they'll come around when you start to see progress.
That's great news on the 2nd opinion, and on getting your expanders, and that you don't have to wear them 24/7. I'm excited for you!
You mention your family had a cold reaction. Here are a few possibilities. They may worry the treatment will be difficult, painful, unsuccessful, risky, have complications etc. They may think it's unnecessary and a waste of money. Or your parents may feel guilty that they allowed the dentist to extract those teeth when you were a kid, or that they did not get you braces as kid. Think about do any of those fit and try to see their point of view to understand their reaction. Maybe they'll come around when you start to see progress.
Braced for 2 years, 11 months, 2 weeks and 5 days (the 2nd time ‘round)
Hawley on top, Essix on bottom
Hi starzz, some of your points really hit the true reasons for the negative reaction from my family. Yes, they think I don't need it (according to my mom my teeth look great!), it will be unnecessary pain, may not have permanent results and may make me look worse (!?). And yes, my mom feels a little bit guilty for allowing my bicuspids to be extracted when I was a kid and for not being more assertive with me when they were trying to make me wear my retainers when I was 12. She keeps saying that it wasn't an easy decision she made for the teeth extraction although I never blamed her for that.
Additionally, my mom thinks that at my age, 28, I should be looking for a husband instead of doing these "nonsense". She's upset that nobody will be attracted to me because I'll have braces...Very discouraging words
I also hope that when I start seeing progress, it will help my family accept the idea. That's why I'll keep taking pictures and documenting my progress. It may be my motivator too
Additionally, my mom thinks that at my age, 28, I should be looking for a husband instead of doing these "nonsense". She's upset that nobody will be attracted to me because I'll have braces...Very discouraging words
I also hope that when I start seeing progress, it will help my family accept the idea. That's why I'll keep taking pictures and documenting my progress. It may be my motivator too
Expanders are in!
Hi everyone! I wanted to post this update earlier but unfortunately, the website seemed to be down for the past few days.
Here's my update. On Saturday, 4/4/09, the sensitivity in my tooth with the root canal was finally over and so I was ready to start my torture with the expanders! Here's a picture of them:
The one to the right is for the upper jaw and the one to the left is for the lower one. They actually don't look as big as I thought they'd be. However, once I put them in my mouth they feel like a lot of plastic and also my tongue gets stuck at the metal parts around the keys. The first night it was a little hard to sleep with them. I couldn't close my mouth and breathe through my nose normally so I woke up several times with dry throat and very thirsty! To my surprise though, in the morning I had no pain from the expanders. This actually worries me a little because I thought it would hurt or at least give some pressure...does it work as it doesn't hurt?
It's very very hard for me to talk with the expanders in my mouth! True challenge. I sound like a kid and it takes me lots of effort and concentration to talk. The 1st day I didn't feel like going out, didn't want to talk to anybody, had slight headache (but I think it was because I was feeling low) and my confidence was totally gone! I was thirsty all the time and the water didn't taste as it should. Didn't feel hungry and overall was very demotivated. The 1st day at work I almost didn't talk to anybody. Every time I was trying to say something, I sounded like I had candies in my mouth. However, last night I talked to a friend of mine for 30 min on the phone and had the expanders in my mouth. At the beginning it was hard but after about 20 min I started noticing some improvement. My friend also told me that I sounded more clearly. Then it hit me
- I should TALK in order to learn how to talk
For the first time last night I slept normally without waking up for water. Today I was a little bit more confident at work and talked to more people. I constantly was telling myself that the more I talk the sooner I'll learn how to speak with these stuff in my mouth. It's amazing how my tongue actually adjusts to the new body and finds its way around it. Yes, I did get some minor cuts and I feel like my tongue has been burned but it's not too bad. Now I'm just hoping it's all worth it!
Here's my update. On Saturday, 4/4/09, the sensitivity in my tooth with the root canal was finally over and so I was ready to start my torture with the expanders! Here's a picture of them:
The one to the right is for the upper jaw and the one to the left is for the lower one. They actually don't look as big as I thought they'd be. However, once I put them in my mouth they feel like a lot of plastic and also my tongue gets stuck at the metal parts around the keys. The first night it was a little hard to sleep with them. I couldn't close my mouth and breathe through my nose normally so I woke up several times with dry throat and very thirsty! To my surprise though, in the morning I had no pain from the expanders. This actually worries me a little because I thought it would hurt or at least give some pressure...does it work as it doesn't hurt?
It's very very hard for me to talk with the expanders in my mouth! True challenge. I sound like a kid and it takes me lots of effort and concentration to talk. The 1st day I didn't feel like going out, didn't want to talk to anybody, had slight headache (but I think it was because I was feeling low) and my confidence was totally gone! I was thirsty all the time and the water didn't taste as it should. Didn't feel hungry and overall was very demotivated. The 1st day at work I almost didn't talk to anybody. Every time I was trying to say something, I sounded like I had candies in my mouth. However, last night I talked to a friend of mine for 30 min on the phone and had the expanders in my mouth. At the beginning it was hard but after about 20 min I started noticing some improvement. My friend also told me that I sounded more clearly. Then it hit me
- I should TALK in order to learn how to talk For the first time last night I slept normally without waking up for water. Today I was a little bit more confident at work and talked to more people. I constantly was telling myself that the more I talk the sooner I'll learn how to speak with these stuff in my mouth. It's amazing how my tongue actually adjusts to the new body and finds its way around it. Yes, I did get some minor cuts and I feel like my tongue has been burned but it's not too bad. Now I'm just hoping it's all worth it!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations on starting your treatment! I'm so thrilled for you. Sorry to hear your family haven't been supportive, but I'm sure they'll come around when they the improvements. Plus, don't let anyone make you feel ashamed of looking after your health.. I can't say what a major blessing it is for me that you're posting your story, its given a renewed determination and courage to sort this out for myself! Those look like Schwartz expanders, am I right? Or what are they called? (the upper one in particular (I definitely don't need any lower expansion, my lower arch is overdeveloped lol!)) I wish I could get the courage to do something about this! I just want to make sure I pick the right person and method (ie find an expander that works for us adults!) How much expansion is your ortho hoping for?I'm guessing 12mm-ish if you need to replace teeth.
Hi Printemps!
Nice to hear from you. I'm not sure the expanders are called Schwartz and I did ask my ortho how exactly are they called. He answered..."expanders" However, based on what I saw on the net as examples of Schwartz expanders, it does seem like what I have is the same. They are removable, plastic based, attached to the molar teeth with those metal hooks and the top one has 3 screws (it's individually specific, for me it has 1 screw in the mid-line and 2 other for pushing the canines) and the bottom one has 1 screw in the middle. My ortho said that the chances of getting expansion with these at my age is about 50%. Definitely worth trying! All I'd loose is 4-6 months but if it's successful I may be able keep the full set of my teeth. My ortho calculated that I need about 14 mm space to be opened up on the top for the two implants. As I already have some small gaps left from after the extractions, my ortho can create about 8 mm space just by moving the teeth tighter to each other. The rest of the space, 6 mm, has to be opened up using the expanders. It doesn't sound that impossible...However, my ortho said that without surgery, at my age it may not work. He definitely doesn't think in my case I should do a surgery (so do I) - he finds that solution too extreme for my case. So I'm trying this not that complicated way and if it doesn't work, I'm ok with the extractions. Something i keep hearing from my ortho is that it's not right to just try and fit all teeth there. Sometimes it's healthier to have less teeth but enough room to clean them without compromising the health of your gums.
To you, Printemps, I'd recommend that you just sit down and think it through very carefully. Sit and think with the determination that you need to make a decision. The sooner you fix your teeth, the longer you'll enjoy them. What are the real risks and are you gaining anything by putting off your decision? I think every path has its risks and if you know what you want and what your options are, you pretty much can draw the line and decide. Also I think you mentioned that you're relocating this year? You may consider waiting until you settle down at one place for at least 2 years so you get your treatment with one specialist all the way through. Best of luck and keep me posted how your decision goes!
Nice to hear from you. I'm not sure the expanders are called Schwartz and I did ask my ortho how exactly are they called. He answered..."expanders"
However, based on what I saw on the net as examples of Schwartz expanders, it does seem like what I have is the same. They are removable, plastic based, attached to the molar teeth with those metal hooks and the top one has 3 screws (it's individually specific, for me it has 1 screw in the mid-line and 2 other for pushing the canines) and the bottom one has 1 screw in the middle. My ortho said that the chances of getting expansion with these at my age is about 50%. Definitely worth trying! All I'd loose is 4-6 months but if it's successful I may be able keep the full set of my teeth. My ortho calculated that I need about 14 mm space to be opened up on the top for the two implants. As I already have some small gaps left from after the extractions, my ortho can create about 8 mm space just by moving the teeth tighter to each other. The rest of the space, 6 mm, has to be opened up using the expanders. It doesn't sound that impossible...However, my ortho said that without surgery, at my age it may not work. He definitely doesn't think in my case I should do a surgery (so do I) - he finds that solution too extreme for my case. So I'm trying this not that complicated way and if it doesn't work, I'm ok with the extractions. Something i keep hearing from my ortho is that it's not right to just try and fit all teeth there. Sometimes it's healthier to have less teeth but enough room to clean them without compromising the health of your gums. To you, Printemps, I'd recommend that you just sit down and think it through very carefully. Sit and think with the determination that you need to make a decision. The sooner you fix your teeth, the longer you'll enjoy them. What are the real risks and are you gaining anything by putting off your decision? I think every path has its risks and if you know what you want and what your options are, you pretty much can draw the line and decide. Also I think you mentioned that you're relocating this year? You may consider waiting until you settle down at one place for at least 2 years so you get your treatment with one specialist all the way through. Best of luck and keep me posted how your decision goes!
Hi Printemps,
Thanks for following my story and asking about my progress. Unfortunately, I barely have any update (hence, I haven't posted anything here for several weeks) - I'm still with the expanders and pretty much got used to them although I still can't talk normally. I don't think I'd ever learn to speak with the expanders I've had one appointment with my ortho since I got the expanders and my next one is coming up on June 3rd. At my last appointment, the ortho changed the frequency of my adjustments (every 4 days for the upper canine that is behind the lower teeth, every 10 days for the rest of the top keys and every 14 days for the lower expander). I should have expanded about 1.5-2 mm on the upper but I don't see absolutely any changes! It can be very discouraging at times but I keep telling myself that I have to be patient. I can't wait for my next appointment to hear what the ortho would say...I'll keep you posted!
Thanks for following my story and asking about my progress. Unfortunately, I barely have any update (hence, I haven't posted anything here for several weeks) - I'm still with the expanders and pretty much got used to them although I still can't talk normally. I don't think I'd ever learn to speak with the expanders
I've had one appointment with my ortho since I got the expanders and my next one is coming up on June 3rd. At my last appointment, the ortho changed the frequency of my adjustments (every 4 days for the upper canine that is behind the lower teeth, every 10 days for the rest of the top keys and every 14 days for the lower expander). I should have expanded about 1.5-2 mm on the upper but I don't see absolutely any changes! It can be very discouraging at times but I keep telling myself that I have to be patient. I can't wait for my next appointment to hear what the ortho would say...I'll keep you posted!