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I just have a couple of quick questions about my RPE that maybe anybody who has had experience with one or knows about them could answer!
I know the RPE is supposed to widen my palate, and it's definitely working after only a couple of weeks...I have a pretty big gap between the front teeth! But I was picturing the RPE working by moving my front teeth apart and possibly crowding others around it...but it seems to be VERY easy to floss between all of my top teeth lately! Is this normal?
Also, I have gotten into the bad habit of clenching my teeth together because of the strange sensation of having molar bands...not really a grinding of the teeth, but just biting down really hard on things! Any tips from former grinder/clencher people on how to stop? I just don't want to do any damage to those molars!
Hi ShinySmile!
I didnt have an RPE but my son has one. (as you can see on my ticker)
The RPE widens the palate, in my sons case it pulls the palate apart ( it is two bones held together by some cartilage) then you keep it on to retain it and allow new cartilage to refuse the bones. The back teeth dont get crowded, they just move the two bones apart. Does that make sense?
As far as the clenching, I have noticed when I first got braces I did this and also again when i first got elastics. I think its a reaction to the pulling forces and once you adjust it should stop. If not talk to your ortho about it and he can give you a mouth guard or something to stop it.
I think this is what I have... I have found that my back teeth dont touch but when I take it out my mouth clenches and my back teeth are so tightly locked, and I dont even realize Im doing it.
I dont think I should do it.. I sometimes do it when im asleep too, I take it out without noticing and end up clenching my teeth and I wake up with jaw ache.
I have some removable pink thing on my top teeth atm It expands and stuff, I dont know what it is, but It makes me clench lol!
I had a RPE and have been RPE free for 5 months. It is normal to get a big space between the teeth, I could fit a $2 coin between my teeth and it is the thickest coin in our currency. Unfortunately I cannot help you with the grinding as i rarely keep my teeth together, they are always apart even with eating!
I just don't want to do any damage to those molars!
