Quad Helix....what are they like?

Message

#1 Post by **FourBoys04** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:43 am

My son is getting a quad helix and I've never heard of this appliance before. We have a mtg in November to discuss the treatment. I was just hoping to find out from people who have/had them what to expect. Are they painful or uncomfortable? How long did you have yours?

Any suggestions, advice or comments are welcome!

Thanks!

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." J.Wasmund

#2 Post by **londonchick** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:43 am

hi 4boys

i have had a quad helix in for almost a year now. They are extremly uncomfortable for the first few weeks. My tounge felt so sore, the lisping was awful and the excess saliva did not help much. It didn't make my teeth sore as such, just a little pressure i guess. Eating is not much fun either as you can't squash the food into the roof of your mouth if your teeth a sore. I won't say that you get to the point where you don't notice it anymore because it's impossible to ignore when your tongue is stuck to it all the time. But he will get used to it, make sure he avoids shredded thin food (lettuce, spinich, cucumber etc) as it gets caught up in the little loops and are a nightmare to get out (tweezer may be needed !!).

Hope it all goes well for him.

#3 Post by **tkais** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:07 pm

I wore a quad helix for several months. Other than not being able to talk right and having food get stuck in it, it's really not that bad after about the first week. Takes that long for your tongue to adjust and stop hurting.
Melted cheese is a pain too, it gets wrapped around the wire.
Good luck!

#4 Post by **londonchick** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:15 am

i came back to this today as i realised i'd forgotten to mention the melted cheese which as you rightly point out is a bit of a pain

#5 Post by **GADonny** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:18 pm

Thanks for this info'

I get my braces on top and bottom as well as the quad helix on Nov. 22nd

i'm nervouse but really excited.

#6 Post by **greencapt** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:25 pm

First- the Quad DOES work.

Second- everyone is correct... they're a pain in the rear and eating is a problem, talking is a problem, etc. But you do get *used* to it.

Third- WHOO-HOO!! I get mine off tomorrow, one month earlier than expected!!!!

And here's what it looks like, in all its drooly, annoying glory:

#7 Post by **summergirl** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:27 am

is this to expand your jaw ??? I just had mine put on on Monday mine looks a lot bigger and some kind of ceramic thing ,I can barley swallow.Is to correct an over bite??Mine is very very very uncomfortable .I can't wait till it is out of here!!!!! Anyone one getting one soon go out and eat everything you like because when this thing goes on no more enjoying your food... Braces can't be this bad

Jan

I hope tomorrow is a better day !!!!!

#8 Post by **tkais** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:24 pm

This is what my quad helix looked like.