ALF appliance to widen arches

[Rubyg]

Hi there,

I've been recommended Alf appliance today to widen my upper arch as it's currently only 42.
I'm really excited that this could help as i really hate my appearance and how it has changed over the years, my smile is so narrow and the right side of my jaw is collapsing in so my lips are very uneven. My ortho is really confident he can widen the upper arch by another 8.
I've done a lot of research on myofunctional therapy, mouth breathing..which I have always been but Would love to hear from people who have had this done and the changes they have noticed good bad or indifferent. I'm hoping it broadens my smile and creates more symmetry in my lips.

Any feedback greatly appreciated!
Thanks

[Rubyg]

Oh meant to add I'm in Dublin, would love to hear from other people getting treatment here and get ortho recommendations, thanks a mill

[sirwired]

I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the US, the ALF appliance is usually sold by general dentists instead of actual Board-Certified Orthodontists. In my mind that is usually a "red flag" that perhaps the therapy doesn't work as well as their marketing materials would have you believe.

[Andj]

Rubyg wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I've been recommended Alf appliance today to widen my upper arch as it's
> currently only 42.
> I'm really excited that this could help as i really hate my appearance and
> how it has changed over the years, my smile is so narrow and the right side
> of my jaw is collapsing in so my lips are very uneven. My ortho is really
> confident he can widen the upper arch by another 8.
> I've done a lot of research on myofunctional therapy, mouth
> breathing..which I have always been but Would love to hear from people who
> have had this done and the changes they have noticed good bad or
> indifferent. I'm hoping it broadens my smile and creates more symmetry in
> my lips.
>
> Any feedback greatly appreciated!
> Thanks

Hi Rubyg
What Ortho dit you go to in Dublin? Could you send me their contact details.
Thanks

[Rubyg]

Hi Andyj

I went with Dr. Andrew Hatherall in North side dental.
I'd highly recommend speaking to Dr. Bridget O'Connor in Cork though, she's excellent and more focused on myofunctional therapy over regular dental practices.

Best of luck..

[Andj]

Rubyg wrote:
> Hi Andyj
>
> I went with Dr. Andrew Hatherall in North side dental.
> I'd highly recommend speaking to Dr. Bridget O'Connor in Cork though, she's
> excellent and more focused on myofunctional therapy over regular dental
> practices.
>
> Best of luck..

Thanks Rubyg

How did the process work out in the end for you. Did you get the expansion you wanted and did you have to get other braces after the ALF. Did it sort out your mouth breathing.

[Rubyg]

Well I got some expansion and have more room for my tongue on my palette now. I had fixed braces for about 2 years after using the ALF but I still struggle with mouth breathing...thats why I'd recommend going with Bridget...its a lifelong habit that's hard to break so you need to constantly implement myofunctional exercises to break the old habits..

[Andj]

Rubyg wrote:
> Well I got some expansion and have more room for my tongue on my palette
> now. I had fixed braces for about 2 years after using the ALF but I still
> struggle with mouth breathing...thats why I'd recommend going with
> Bridget...its a lifelong habit that's hard to break so you need to
> constantly implement myofunctional exercises to break the old habits..

I’m delighted it worked out for you.
I have been a mouth breather all my life and I didn’t realise the impact it can have until recently. Snoring provable being the worst part of it.
Did the ALF affect your speech?

[Rubyg]

Prob just a slight lisp alright. it's weird getting used to any foreign objects in your mouth but after a while it gets easier! The braces were harder to get used to as you can't just remove them like the ALF.

Have you tried mouth taping while you sleep? It doesn't always work for me but I do it most nights anyway, I find the best results are if I put it on 30-60 mins before bed.

So hard to break lifelong mouthbreathing habits alright but will keep going!

[Andj]

I haven’t tried taping my mouth yet.
I might speak to Bridget and maybe book an appointment, it’s a pity they are in cork.
I had braces about 14 years ago and they didn’t mention anything about mouth breathing and I have a narrow pallet but they didn’t see it as an issue, just straightened my teeth. If I had know then I would have got expansion. I’d like to avoid getting full braces so the ALF seems like a good option.

[Andj]

Rubyg can you remember how much the Alf cost?

[Rubyg]

It was about 8 years ago so not 100% sure but it was def over 3k + with the appliance and all the visits to tighten n check progress etc.

[Andj]

Thanks Rubyg.

[Andj]

Rubyg, did you go to or speak to Bridget OConnor in Cork?

[Rubyg]

Just spoke to her..video call..