sorry you are in pain. I'm not sure if your skin can grow over the wires - i'd defo check with your Orthodontist.Share your experience with expanders... An update!
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felix the helix
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:05 am
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this whole thing
I had my expander in yesterday, its the kind with a key. Its not too bad to turn it, its just a tight feeling for about 30 seconds and then its fine. I was expecting more pain, could it be possible that at 19 years old my palet hasn't fused yet?
I keep getting food stuck in there but most things come out when I rinse with water. I try to chew carefully but somehow things always end up in there when I swallow.
My speech is slowly improving. I've been practising different sounds that I struggle with and its getting better.
Just thought I'd share my first experiences with hte expander. Its so much easier and less painful than the spacers!
I'm new to this whole thing
I had my expander in yesterday, its the kind with a key. Its not too bad to turn it, its just a tight feeling for about 30 seconds and then its fine. I was expecting more pain, could it be possible that at 19 years old my palet hasn't fused yet?
I keep getting food stuck in there but most things come out when I rinse with water. I try to chew carefully but somehow things always end up in there when I swallow.
My speech is slowly improving. I've been practising different sounds that I struggle with and its getting better.
Just thought I'd share my first experiences with hte expander. Its so much easier and less painful than the spacers!
Hi everyone,
I haven't been on here for awhile and thought I'd stop by and give an update. I've had my expanders in for about 2mths (give or take a week). My lower arch is really straightening out! I'm just waiting for one of my bottom teeth to turn into its correct position (it's turned inward). My top teeth were never crooked but had some gaps that need to come together. Since I've had my upper expander, my teeth have moved around some. I've got gaps where they weren't before and no gaps where they used to be.
I haven't felt any pain from my expanders or from my first adjustment (I hope it stays that way!) and I'll be going back to the ortho. for my 2nd adjustment in about two weeks. I'm hoping that she'll have an idea of when I'll be able to have my expanders removed. She initially told me that they would be in for 3 to 6 months (I'm hoping it's closer to 3 months rather than the 6 months).
As for my speech, it has gotten a lot better. I mean a whole lot better. I sound pretty much like I used to except for my occassional difficulty with certain words or letters. People have stopped looking at me like this
However, I am getting a bit tired of explaining to people about my lower expander. People tend to notice it when I speak because it's level to the top of my lower teeth. The younger kids that I work with will sometimes ask how long I have to have it in for, if it hurts, and if I can just take it out myself. When I tell them it's cemented in and I have to wait for the ortho to take it out, they look like they pity me
But when I tell them it doesn't hurt and it will come out soon, their looks are a mixture of relief and disbelief.
Well, I'll have to post an update after my next appointment. I hope I'll be able to say when I get them out!
Take care everyone.
I haven't been on here for awhile and thought I'd stop by and give an update. I've had my expanders in for about 2mths (give or take a week). My lower arch is really straightening out! I'm just waiting for one of my bottom teeth to turn into its correct position (it's turned inward). My top teeth were never crooked but had some gaps that need to come together. Since I've had my upper expander, my teeth have moved around some. I've got gaps where they weren't before and no gaps where they used to be.
I haven't felt any pain from my expanders or from my first adjustment (I hope it stays that way!) and I'll be going back to the ortho. for my 2nd adjustment in about two weeks. I'm hoping that she'll have an idea of when I'll be able to have my expanders removed. She initially told me that they would be in for 3 to 6 months (I'm hoping it's closer to 3 months rather than the 6 months).
As for my speech, it has gotten a lot better. I mean a whole lot better. I sound pretty much like I used to except for my occassional difficulty with certain words or letters. People have stopped looking at me like this
However, I am getting a bit tired of explaining to people about my lower expander. People tend to notice it when I speak because it's level to the top of my lower teeth. The younger kids that I work with will sometimes ask how long I have to have it in for, if it hurts, and if I can just take it out myself. When I tell them it's cemented in and I have to wait for the ortho to take it out, they look like they pity me
But when I tell them it doesn't hurt and it will come out soon, their looks are a mixture of relief and disbelief.Well, I'll have to post an update after my next appointment. I hope I'll be able to say when I get them out!
Take care everyone.
Hi,
I am about to start on my treatment, not braced as yet, but I am due to get an upper arch expander as part of my treatment. Was pointed this way by KK
. Your posts have been really helpfull and supportive, as I was a bit freaked when I found out and wasn't sure if I should go ahead. 
I am getting in touch with ortho this week to find out exactly what type of appliance they are going to fit. How people have coped with this is amazing and I guess if you can, I can.
This thread has been v v useful. Please keep posting to let me know how you are all getting on.
I am about to start on my treatment, not braced as yet, but I am due to get an upper arch expander as part of my treatment. Was pointed this way by KK
. Your posts have been really helpfull and supportive, as I was a bit freaked when I found out and wasn't sure if I should go ahead. I am getting in touch with ortho this week to find out exactly what type of appliance they are going to fit. How people have coped with this is amazing and I guess if you can, I can.
This thread has been v v useful. Please keep posting to let me know how you are all getting on.
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science teacher
- Posts: 428
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:31 pm
- Location: kansas
expander
You can live with expanders as long as you don't let them control you.
I had my expander placed in Nov. It was removed in May and a TPA placed which is coming out on TUESDAY. I've had something on the roof of my mouth for 10 months.
kim
I had my expander placed in Nov. It was removed in May and a TPA placed which is coming out on TUESDAY. I've had something on the roof of my mouth for 10 months.
kim
SARPE 11/23/06
Expansion over 12/18/06 8.5mm
Brace day tops 1/15/07
Brace day bottoms 3/19/07
all expansion devices removed 9/19/07
Hi everyone,
I had my 2nd adjustment last week. My ortho said that the estimated time to have my expanders removed is January. However, she said that my expansion is coming along nicely so I may get them out a little sooner.
I'm really hoping so! My next appointment isn't until November so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
I've been a little concerned about one of my lower teeth because it's turned inwards and hasn't made any movement, while all of my other teeth have aligned nicely. My ortho said that if the expander doesn't make enough room for that tooth to turn, then that will be the one that will be extracted. She put a spacer on both sides of the tooth and attached a power chain to it just to give it a little more motivation to get moving. I'm hoping it works.
Anyway, that's the latest with me. How's everyone else doing with their treatment?
I had my 2nd adjustment last week. My ortho said that the estimated time to have my expanders removed is January. However, she said that my expansion is coming along nicely so I may get them out a little sooner.
I'm really hoping so! My next appointment isn't until November so I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I've been a little concerned about one of my lower teeth because it's turned inwards and hasn't made any movement, while all of my other teeth have aligned nicely. My ortho said that if the expander doesn't make enough room for that tooth to turn, then that will be the one that will be extracted. She put a spacer on both sides of the tooth and attached a power chain to it just to give it a little more motivation to get moving. I'm hoping it works.
Anyway, that's the latest with me. How's everyone else doing with their treatment?