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Questions~braces and expanders

  • 20-04-2010 10:51PM
    #1
    Amerie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27 ✭


    Hi,

    I'm getting braces and have started my treatment. I have a removable palate expander on the upper part of my mouth. i don't know how long I'll have this on for. I have spacers on my bottom teeth in order to get the rings fitted so the braces can be attached. The expander is annoying and I'm wondering how long I'll have it on for. My dentist wont tell me and I do understand it depends on how it works etc... but I'm going travelling for 3 months and I don't want it still on when I'm away. I mean at this stage I'm looking forward to having the braces on because I'll be able to speak correctly again and not be slurping! Anybody out there know what I'm going through?

    Amerie.


Comments

  • #2
    vishal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 698 ✭✭✭vishal


    Hi,
    How often are you turning it and are you finished turning it? Do you have braces in the upper arch? After the expansion it is normally left for 2-3 months and then either a smaller bar is placed or a heavy arch wire in the braces retains the expansion. Everybody patient is different and Dr all do things a little different.


  • #3
    day dreamer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 599 ✭✭✭day dreamer


    Hi Amerie

    As has been mentioned it is difficult to say how long you will have it for. It depends on how much expansion you need and how long the orthodontist is leaving it in to let things stabilise.

    You say you are travelling so be careful not too loose the appliance if you are asked to continue wearing it because you could loose all the expansion you have gained. By this stage you will hopefully be finished with it anyway


  • #4
    Amerie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27 ✭Amerie


    I'm activating it once a week and have had it on for 4 weeks... I know that's probably not long and I'll definitely have it for at least another 2 weeks. It's like a top denture without the teeth. It has four clips which latch onto four of my top teeth, the device fully covers the roof of my mouth. I've no braces on at all yet! It feels like the whole treatment hasn't started yet. I know I'll be fine once I have the braces on but it's this prep and the not knowing that's really bugging me!

    Does anyone know if I've to get the expander off before I can get the braces on or could I have the expander and the braces on?


  • #5
    vishal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 698 ✭✭✭vishal


    Like I said, different dr. do different things so the answer to your last qustion is both.

    It sounds like you will be in it for quite some time. If you are gonna be turning it only once a week then there are some lower profile alternatives that you may feel comfortable with like a quadhelix or even a crozat (removable). You should let him know and maybe he can help you.


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