23 year old with and non surgical RME and first time braces

[Jrorb]

Hey guys, first post here. I've been reading a lot of these boards and can't quite find anyone with my exact condition so I figured I would post.

Its been two weeks since I've gotten braces and a rapid maxillary expander. The ortho wanted me to do the surgery before hand since i"m 23, but I was reluctant because of what I read about the surgery, and also I didn't want to go through the huge process of trying to get my insurance to cover that. He told me that he has had some success with the expander in adults without surgery so we went that route (but warned me that results may not be as dramatic) He placed the expander and braces in at the same time, which seems unusual from what I've read, but he seems to know his stuff so I trust him that these can be done effectively at the same time.

I've been turning the expander every other day. (turn #7 was today) It doesn't hurt at all to turn, after 5 minutes the tightness is gone. I almost feel like I could turn this thing 2 times a day like kids do (not saying I will, just that it feels like I could.) My ortho said that I might here a loud pop one time when I turn it. So every time I've been turning I've been expecting that loud pop but only ever hear/feel a few quiet clicks in my teeth as I turn.

I've been able to breathe a lot better through my nose which has been awesome... but the last few turns for the first two minutes after I turn the expander I've been able to taste blood. No blood shows up in my mouth, or in a tissue when I try blowing my nose directly after, so I'm not sure where that taste is coming from, but is that normal? It goes away after a minute or two, but it's strange to taste it and not see it anywhere. Does that mean it's working?

I also want to know if there are any signs of this working besides the gap showing up in your front teeth. I don't think I'll get that gap because of the braces, but I want to know if there are any other signs of palatal separation that can be observed. I know that in adults the palate doesn't always separate, and the older you are, the least likely that is of happening, but I've also read reports of non surgical palatal separation occurring in adults with xrays of the broken bone to back it up. Should i be able to feel a gap in the roof of my mouth when/if it does separate? Have any adults had the non surgical expander and heard/felt that loud pop that my ortho says I may hear? Any adults ever have the expander and braces at the same time and had success?

Any answers would be appreciated!

[pellepee]

Hi Jrorb,

I was wondering if you could give an update as to how your treatment is going? I am looking into getting treatment which will include a palatal expander as well and was given the same information from my orthodontist as you. Basically, I was given the 'we can try it but surgery might have to finish the job' spiel. I was confident about the plan, but reading about the stories on the board here I'm not so sure now! I am 23 also. :)