expander anyone?

Message

#1 Post by **amandad09** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:15 pm

I know there is a search function, believe me I have used it but I just thought I'd post here anyway.

Is anyone currently using an expander? Or have in the past?
Non-surgical approach.
There has to be someone who can commiserate?

Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:30 am

I have an expander.
I got it nov 24 so i have it in for about 2 months now.
Almost at the end of the turning experience. But it will remain in my mouth till may- total time 6 months.
I am being treated for TMJ so i have a schwartz removable one because we didn't know how my jaw would react to the upper arch being expanded and the main thing to get through is keeping my jaw in alignment.
Pain hasn't been too bad. Tylenol and Advil are helping every 6-8 hours especially on turning days. I turn it 1/4 mm every three days. so it fairly slow to expand. I am 43. I also had a deviated septum so it is helping to open my nasal passage. I have loads of snot being removed Gross YUck.

#3 Post by **amandad09** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:11 pm

Thank you for sharing with me!

I also turn 1/4 of a mm but once a day. I might be imagining it but I think I am getting a tiny gap between my front two teeth. Floss just slips right through very easily now! My bite is starting to feel a bit off too.

I haven't had any pain, just pressure. That is great that your nasal passages are opening up! Not so much the messy aftermath but still good. Hahaha

I look forward to seeing your progress. Do you have any before and now pictures?

Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:11 am

I do have pictures and when i find them and have the time to arrange them in order i will post for you.

#5 Post by **Susie R** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:52 am

I'm glad to read your messages. I will have impressions mad for my expander on Feb 25. I have TMJ and will have a removable expander that will have 3 screws to turn. I am not looking forward to it because my son had one with 1 screw and I remember how painful it was for him.

I, too have a deviated septum, so I will let you know how I am affected.

Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:09 pm

Here are my most recent pictures
Last one before braces.
Can't wait to have progress pictures.

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Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:14 pm

What i learned from having an expander.
I turned my too fast but survived.
I could have only turned it once a week a 1/4 turn
so ask your dentist what they expect from you.

Don't expect the gap to be in the middle.
Mine is nto in the middle it is in the teeth one from the middle and the largest gap is in my right side.
Take tylenol(acetomenphin) and advil9Ibuphrophen) together whether you think you need it or not. every 4-6 hours especially after the first 24 hours after turning.
I also drank lemon water to help my liver function better while taking the pain meds as well as to decrease the saliva.

Remember t focus on the end results. GOod teeth and better jaw position for those with TMJ.
If you have any questions phone your dentist. They should be most willing to help you.

#8 Post by **Susie R** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:06 am

I got my 3-way upper expander yesterday and was surprised with a lower expander. I thought I had a hard time speaking with the upper splint but now my mouth is full of acrylic and metal. For a while I will be letting all phone calls go to voice mail at work.

My dentist told me to expect to have my sinus area open up.

#9 Post by **amandad09** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:41 am

What is a 3-way expander?
How much expansion does your ortho expect?
Are you having SARPE surgery also?

#10 Post by **Indieking** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:32 am

I've got one and it's quite torturous. I think I must not have turned mine far enough or something as now I cannot find the place to stick the key into. Is there any way to fix that without going back to the orthodontist? I can SEE the hole, but the key will not fit in, it's not out far enough.

#11 Post by **amandad09** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:28 pm

Indie - you need to try to reverse the last turn by sticking the key in the hole and pushing the opposite way. If you are not comfortable doing that, see your ortho to correct it or have someone help you.

#12 Post by **Indieking** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:28 pm

Thank yoU! I am going to try this now.

#13 Post by **suse** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:27 pm

Hi
I am 41 years old and just had a removeable palate expander inserted today. The purpose is to align my upper teeth before I get braces. It's not painful but certainly unconfortable. I'm speaking like a four year old with as lisp and cannot control the saliva in my mouth. The only good thing is I can remove it when eating or drinking.
My doc said I will have it for several months and I can't imagine keeping this thing in my mount for that long....Does anyone have any advise on how to get through this?

#14 Post by **panama** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:53 am

I have an expander but mine is really different to anything else I've seen. Mine is just a wire that slots into brackets on my back teeth, It's not adjustable and feels really unsymmetrical and dodgy. Has anyone had one like this?

#15 Post by **milliondollar** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:36 pm

i have one that looks like this:
http://www.orthoorganizers.com.au/shop/ ... mage_id=62