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From: facesortho
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  • I was given the ghetto expander it was like a zigzag thingy and they put it on the roof of my mouth and i wasnt given a key cuz it expanded on its own

  • i hate that part where you have to bite down:[

  • I had my expander for a LONG time haha! I'm getting my braces off in six days :)

  • Yeah!!! I like this kind of doctor!!! cause he can done it within one day!!! :D..

  • Erm...when i'm getting the expander, after how many weeks or even how many month i could get the braces? (someone please reply)~

  • @Cococindelyne That will depend on your orthodontists treatment plan. In my office we usually put braces on the same day that you get your expander.

    Good question.

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho DOES IT HURT WHEN U GET THE EXPANDER?

  • @Cococindelyne My friend had her braces on with the expander

  • @Cococindelyne I had my expander on for six months. i think it takes a while because if your dentist took them off early they'll just shift back to their normal position. just be patient, it'll all be worth it.

    Good luck. :)

  • Comment removed

  • I got the same thing I might get braces next week

  • Someone please reply: I have 2 teeth that are "far back", one being 1mm back, and the other being 6mm back; the dentist recommended expanders, but how long do you thing I'll have them on for?

  • @NathalieC6 Firstly, make sure you see an orthodontist, not just your regular dentist.  Orthodontists have 2-3 years of extra, graduate level training for this kind of treatment. Most expanders are worn for about 9 months, but they can be in longer depending on your treatment plan.

    Good luck

    Dr. B

  • continued: but it will close up eventually and foood gets stuck up in the rooof of my mouth but i have had it for about 3 months. your supposed to have it for 4 months but everyone is different and i cant wait to get it offfff ! plus it was sort of hard to say a word that had the eeeeee sound cause my tounge wasnt able to go up onto the rooof of my mouth so yeah, i just thought this would be helpful to some peoplee . like if it did help (:

  • okay so i have this in my mouth like right now! and like in 2 or 3 weeks im getting my braces and when they put it in it didnt hurt at all and when they crank it makes your jaw wider. i had to do this for only about a week cause my jaw got wider faster than it was suppose to. when it was cranked all you felt was pressuure for like 2-3 seconds it didnt really hurt me but i dont know if it will actually hurt other people and the first week you'll have a gap in betwwwen ur 2 front teeth. it sucks!!

  • I have them they gotta stay in for 13 weeks then I get braces

  • i got mine yesterday and i have to give an oral report today... :C It also feels weird when the key is turned.

  • i used 2 sound like a kiwi with mine lol

  • Cause I have 1 it doesn't hurt they just tell u 2 bite and that's it !!

  • It doesn't hurt when u get an expander !!!

  • Errr I'm getting an expander put in Friday , I hope it doesn't hurt to bad !:/

  • I'm s

  • Where would a non-dentist go about buying one of these?

  • @elitenoobboy They are only available to dental professionals through dental product companies and dental labs.

    Dr. B

  • Did it hurt?!

    Im getting mine and im really nervous!!

  • @LoveYewFoEva It does not hurt, but it is uncomfortable getting used to them. They make it hard to talk and swallow and food gets stuck in the roof of your mouth. Most of my patients get used to them in a week or 2.  They make a big difference in how your teeth and smile will look.

    Good luck

    Dr. B

  • @LoveYewFoEva It only hurts for the first few days. Im 2-3 weeks in right now and i dont feel it at all. nothing to worry about

  • I came here like 7 months before ! (: I've been so frustrated with the expander and afraid because of pain i got in first day's because of rotations.

    Now i'm happy (: dr B helped me alot! :)

    In 2 days i'll get it out :) my teeth closed alot now :D , the problem in this expander it's because it cuts your tongue :c because of sleep ..

    in first days you can't eat .. but anyways i pass everything! :D

    I'm glad in somedays i got braces! One more time THANKS!

  • yo he tenido eso T.T y es lo peor que hay en esta vida

  • I'm getting one tomorrow

  • I got mine yesterday and so far it has been the worst thing of my life! I cant eat, I talk funny and it is soo hard to swallow!

  • I have a expander in now ..it sucks!!! I talk funny;have troble swallowing;cant eat :(

  • @lexe

    I have the exact same problem. I got spacers, then I am getting an expander, then I'm getting braces. Go to your Ortho and ask him/her about it. My jaw is really tiny that's why I need the expander like the one she has in the vid. I'm only in spacers stage so I mean I hurt the expander hurts if you need it... Good luck, I guess? Lol

  • I have to get this ugh

  • @minniemickey576 Be sure to stock up on bracket brushes. You will need them because food gets stuck in your expander. Take it from someone who currently has one.

  • @Makookla ok tank u

  • @bzthegirl yea it will... Im getting my wednesday september 21 but ive seen many youtube videos and they all have a funny sound for a little while :) good luck

  • I'm getting an expander in a few days and will it affect the way i talk? HELP PLEASE

  • i hated that! i couldnt eat for 4 days

  • i am getting mines today at 3:00 and i have a queston do you get expander the finst time you go in or the second time

  • Holy crap I glad I got this out but now I have the herbst thing and it sucks...

  • I love this brace....great!!!!

    

  • Ughh I hated that. thank god i got it removed. but when they took it out they sawed it out and cut my gums. :/

  • My two front teeth are crooked but other than that .. My teeth Are pretty straight.. But my front gap is so big that it's embarrassing .. What should I get done?

  • @lexe2609 My dentist told me that that would happen. I guessing when you put the braces on or your next step in getting your teeth fixed.

  • @lexe2609 Talk to your orthodontist and see what they have planned to treat you. This way you will know what is going on.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • I have tht!!!! I cut mt touge on it tho

  • My upper gum shape like a V and my front teeth crook . Can you tell me what can be done?

  • @sukanvisa The best way to find out the treatment for yourself would be to see an orthodontists. Most of us offer a free consultation during which we look at your teeth and will let you know what treatment would work best for you. So go ahead and call one of us. You have nothing to loose except you crooked teeth and poor bite.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • @sukanvisa Thats what I have. You will more likely need braces and an expander. In my case I'm getting a quad helix expander due to my V shaped upper part of my mouth

  • i have that is so anoying

  • i had one of those! gosh food got stuck up there and when they took it out i now have 4 little dots in the top of my mouth!

  • i've got a question..

    i also will get an expander... but 7 days later.. i will undergo an corticotomy..

    now the problem is.. can they make an expander in 7 days?

    i had an agreement with my ortho.. he said.. i have to come 2 weaks before the corticotomy.. but he has vacation... so is 7 days going to work?

  • @lovehindimovie Anything can be done. Ask you orthodontist.

    Good luck with your treatment

    Dr. B

  • @lovehindimovie Expanders are manufactured in the lab. Of course they can get it done withing couple hours. All they need is your impression they reproduce the cast ( the negative of your mouth) and they just start welding those metal arms together. Make sure the molar rings fit perfectly with your teeth otherwise you WILL get cavities on the supporting molars. Mention this to your orthodontist. There is really no way you can prevent cavities if the lab doesn't do a good job with those rings.

  • I play basketball, and the girls in my league are SCARY. So, what? Like what if it falls out. And can I skip a day and then do 2 turns the next day? Or should I stay consistint?

  • @MsGirltalks The type of expander in this video can not fall out it is cemented (glued) to the teeth. You should try and follow your orthodontists instructions as closely as posible to get the best results for your specific treatment.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • No expander for me it just sound like I am get my teeth pushed back . Getting mine today

  • when they move it does it hurt

  • @themzdoraa There should be no pain involved when the expander is being turned. You will feel some increased pressure on your teeth and Jaw.

    Good question

    Dr. B

  • aha i have one of theese in my mouth now iv had it twice, each for 6 months, i am getting my braces tomorrow:/

  • ahh im getting one of these!!! D:>

  • @jettomatic2000 They are putting a key in the Expander and pushing it back.

  • I got my expander in two days ago...The most problem i have with it is talking and eating and brushing my teeth i think im starting to adjust to it though:)

  • Is it okay to remove my expanders every once in a while (while eating or brushing my teeth) because I am having a hard time doing those things with this thing in my mouth.

  • @masbubuyog Usually an expander cannot be removed. The one shown in this video is cemented on the teeth and only the orthodontist can take it out. If you have a removeable expander it can only move teeth and is usually only minimally effective.

    Good luck

    Dr. B

  • i got braces on my top 4 front teeth and a expander to train my tongue to

    swallow properly.

  • if u can answer this please. does the expander move the jaw or just the teeth ? 

  • Do its hurt when the bone cracking?

  • @mathiaslajmiri1 You should not feel any cracking. The bones are not solid and only soft tissue (suture) is spread apart. You will feel pressure as turns are placed. Any pain is not normal.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • I am really having troubles eating with the expander. im only on my second day with it in, and everyone says that you will learn how to eat in a week, but i would still like a few pointers on how to eat with it. Can you help me out?

  • @JustToPointless The biggest promlem is getting food stuck under the expander & problems swallowing.  Make sure you are trying to eat small bites of well cut up food stay away from sticky stuff, peanutbutter is a nightmare. For the swallowing try this. Get a SURGARLESS hard candy (like a throat lossenger) and suck on it. This will train your tongue and mouth to swallow.

    Great question & you will get used to it in a few days.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • ew

  • When I was little I used to suck my thumb from age 2-5 because when I was little I thought my thumb was a binky (lol) and it became a habit. I had something like this but I had 3 little bars in the middle so I got food in there more easily :/. Hey does anyone's roof of their mouth feel all tingly when it comes out because when I got mine out I remembered it felt like static electricity!

  • hey i have this!,,,

  • i got a removable expander in a month or two ago but there were complications and all that and today i just turned it for the first time... and i have a pain in one of my left molars... is that normal for the first few days. oh and i did take a tylenol which helped a bit :) other than that no other pain or tightness until the morning :)

  • @tylerwalker2 If you are having problems you should call your orthodontist. They will know what your specific treatment plan is and what is best for you. In general if you want your treatment to work out well you need to follow your doctors instructions. Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • I just got my braces today! No exanders needed and they say about 13 months I am so nervous for the pain tomorrow! Any adivce?

  • @thevolleyballstar23 If your teeth are sore you can take an over the counter anti inflammatory like advil or tylenol.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • Is used for if your top back teeth are smaller than the bottoms and they can fit inside? Do you think i would be able to get braces right away? Thank you!

  • @theboringcupcake The best way to find that out is to see an orthodontist for a consultation. If you are ready to start treatment depends on alot of factors.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • Thank you! Hopefully I won't need one at all. So the expander is used f

  • Well about 1/3 of my thumb

  • I have an overbite and i can fit my whole thumb in the front. I also have 8 adult teeth that are crooked in the front. 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom. Will i need to get an expander or will i be able to go write to braces? Thank you

  • @theboringcupcake Expanders are not used to correct "overbite's" They are used to correct mostly crossbites (upper back teeth fitting inside lower back teeth) and crowding. The best way to see what treatment is best for you is to see an orthodondist for a consultation. Most orthodontists offer this consult for FREE. Give one a call.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • UHHHH ! I HAVE THT !!! BUT MINES ALOT DIFFERENT AND BIGGER !

  • when i went to the orthodontist... they told me i was going to have a expander... but now they want me to make an appointment with the section corticotomy... does the expander includes in this section?

  • @lovehindimovie I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you saying that you need Jaw Surgery when your expander is being used. This is usually required when expansion is done on adult non growing patients. On growing children it is not needed because the jaw bone sutures are not fused together yet.

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho

    well im going to have a jaw surgery,, my under jaw has to go inside..

    but my upper jaw is to small.

    so first they told me i will have an expander.. and then braces. with the braces in my mouth i will have the operation

    now they tell me i will have to go to the corticotomy department... but my question was; does that include the expander or are they going to do some kind of operation to expand my opper jaw?

    after going to corticotomy i will have an operation for my under jaw

  • Comment removed

  • Comment removed

  • @justme100percent what are they used for?

  • @justme100percent okay thank you what is it used for tho

  • im getting top braces (later ill get bottom ones) and headgear in a few weeks, do i need an expander?

  • @5mrscullen5 please respond

  • @5mrscullen5 That would be a great question for your orthodontist. Every patient is different and we need look at all your information from an evaluation, x-rays, photos & models of your teeth to tell what is best for you.

    Talk with your orthodontist

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho also, what exactly is a level 6 overbite?

  • @5mrscullen5 I've never herd of "Level 6 overbite". Overbite by definition is the measurement in milimeters of the overlap of the uppper incisors over the lower incisors. So a 6mm oberbite means that the upper front teeth overlap 6mm of the lower front. (Normal is 2-3mm). It may also be stated as a percent (ie overbite 50%).

    Hope that helps clear things up.

    Dr. B

  • Do people get braces for misplaced midlines?

  • @limesparkles People get orthodontic treatment for many different reasons. The best way to see if you would benifit from treatment is to see an orthodontist for a consultation. Most orthodontists offer a No Charge consult.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • im getting this on monday :( im accually kinda exited

  • thanks for alll the help doctor b. i just wanted to tell u that i just got my braces tightened and i have even more isues with sleeping with headger+thigtened braces do u have eny tips

  • @MrSvingy For any discomfort (Pain) you can take an over the counter anti-inflammatory like tylenol or Ibuprofen. With a headgear it just takes time to find a comfortable position to sleep in, usually on your back.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • my expander is cutting thru my gum -___-

  • @itsSmilez100 You should contact your orthodontist to have a look at it.  depending on the type of expander certain parts may be pressing into your gum tissue.

    Good luck

    Dr. B

  • @itsSmilez100 my retaner does that.. but mine bleeds 

  • i have a expander like that and i had to do the key thing back and forth every night but i dont use the key anymore i am just wearing the expander. i hate it

  • HELP!!! My 13 year old son got his braces about 2 days ago. He has the palatal expander that we are suppose to turn twice daily. He also has the MARA device to encourage lower jaw growth. I was shocked to see how much hardware he had in his mouth--not what I expected at all! This is certainly going to be a huge transition for him. How long do they generally wear these? The dental assistant at the ortho said a year. YIKES!! Seems a bit much to me. Is it normal to do both devices?

  • @wwallkar OK, don't worry, alot of kids get these things. It usually takes about 2 weeks for kids to get used to the appliances. We use these appliances in place of headgear. The main reason is minimal compliance is required, and it is not seen extrenally. Most appliances like the MARA are kept in for about 12months, because that is the time required to stabalize any jaw changes. If you were not in on the consultation you can always ask your ORTHO to explain the treatment plan again. Dr. B

  • @wwallkar its ok I had to turn my expander 3-5 times a day and wear headgear for 22 hours a day

  • @rappelier WOW!!

  • boy do i hate this god damn headgear i can bearly sleep it just a pain in the ass why would somebody make such a thing like this it aint orthodontics it's just a god damn saw parody

  • @MrSvingy Sorry to hear you are having problems. The expander is one of the best appliances we have in orthodontics. It's use helps make more room for your teeth and correct cross bites of your back teeth. By using this type of appliance we can reduce the need to remove permanent teeth, the need for Jaw surgery, and the development of bite deformations. I know its a pain to get used to, but the end results far outweigh the discomfort.

    Good luck

    Dr. B

  • I got it yesterday , and my mom turned it 1 time ..and it hurts me alot! plz help :s

    Can it turn it wrong or something ?

    Cause i felt a pressure on my mouth..

  • @Andokan40 Feeling pressure on your teeth an jaw is normal. It should last for about 5-10min and decrease over time. The amount of pressure you feel will depend on the rate or frequency that the orthodontist asked your mom to turn the expander. If you have any concerns make sure you call your orthodontist to clarify any problems, questions, or misunderstandings.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho well it hurts me alot now :( but anyway thx Dr. B ..now i can't eat very good :s but anyway really thank you :)

  • @Andokan40 It usually takes about 1-2wks to get used to it so you can eat and speak well.

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho Dr. B really thank you for your help :) Really really thank's .

  • im getting headgear does it hurt or what is the point of it

    crossbite

  • @MrSvingy Headgear is used to correct a problem when the upper and lower jaw sizes do not match. It is usually recognized by the front upper teeth sticking out. There are some other reasons to use it as well.

    Ask your orthodontist these questions as well and they can explain how headgear applies to your specific treatment.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • meeu deuuus que horror

  • im getting a herbst. does it hurt?

  • @pivotkid11 No it does not hurt, but it does take a little bit to get used to it. What I tell my patients is that it is more convienient than having to wear headgear.

    Dr. B

  • Is it normal to have braces and an expander at the same time? I've had them since last February.

    And, I always gag when my orthodontist turns the expander. :/

  • @alex6634 Yes that is completely normal. In our office we usually do both together.

  • so i have had my expander for about a week or so and my 2 front teeth are hurting,does this mean that my gap is going to form?

  • @itsSmilez100 Whether you get spacein or a gap between your front teeth depends on the turning frequency that your orthodontist recommends. But you may be feeling pressure on your front teeth from the ligaments stretching apart.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho so i had a gap but now its going away.is that supposed to happen

  • @itsSmilez100 Yes it is.  Good Luck Dr. B

  • @facesortho i got scared there for a second thx :D

  • should i be nervous tom ahhh!! so scared

  • @MBTupan0721 Don't be nervous or scared. It will all go fine.

    Dr. B

  • i had an expander too , it left an imprint on your tongue! haha

  • @yaadiqqinq00 That goes away when the expander is removed.

    Good Comment

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho i only had it for about the first 6 months I had my braces. But now I got the braces taken off and I have a retainer. I have a question.. I seem to be allergic to my retainer since whenever I wear it my throat starts to get itchy and I can't stop coughing. But when I take the retainer out i'm perfectly fine. Is it just the retainer or is something just wrong with me? Has this happened to any of your patients?

  • @yaadiqqinq00 There are a few possibilities. You may be sensitive to the plastic that the retainer is made of that is rare but can happen. The second is that you are having a mild gag reflex when the retainer is in. What you should do is speak to your orthodontists so that they can adjust your retainer or make you a different type of retainer out of a different material. Most important is that you should not go without your retainer, it would be a shame if your teeth moved

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho Yes, I know. I wear it and take it out through the day during school. But when I get home I wear it besides when i'm eating.

  • @petelover64 Most of our patients do not report that pain with an expander is a big problem. The biggest problem for them is getting used to eating and talking with it in. Most people adapt pretty well in 1-2wks.

    Sorry to hear you had such a hard time, but hopfully the results you got were worth it.

    Thanks for the comment

    Dr. B

  • thursday i have put the expansor and to eat is very dificult hurts a lot of...in 14 days i finish the process :/

  • Comment removed

  • My 8 year old got his expander today. It doesn't hurt at all, but he can't eat anything. Can't swallow and has a hard time talking. I did get him a water pick to clean out the space between the expander & the top of his mouth. I bought him some yogurt, puddings, and jellos to try to get something in him. What did you eat the first couple weeks? Can't wait for it to get easier.

  • @winphoto1 The best thing is to start with soft foods like you have. Yogurt, jello, ect. Most kids get uses to the appliance after about a week. The younger they are the faster they adjust. Encourage him to talk that will help with adjusting. Remember you can always speak with your orthodontist and ask for any advice.

    Good luck it will get easier.

    Dr. B

  • i hate those things with a passion!!!!!

  • I had one too. But when i got mine taken out I almost choked on it because when they took it out, I was laying back. It makes you talk funny though people didn't make fun of it. Thats when i was in 3rd grade though. I will never forget :] Sydney

  • how are you supposed to do this on your own? flealdkjfaslkd

  • @lucidparody You are not supposed to do this on your own. You should have a parent do this for you.

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho hmm that might be an issue! I go away to University from January to May... it seem this is the second thing my ortho has lied about. They said I could do it my own, then told me the entire procedure of prepping for braces, getting them and the expander on, and doing the necessary check ups with the expander once a week would be done in the 5 weeks that I was home for holidays, and now I actually have to miss school and drive back home because it's taking more time than they said

  • @lucidparody Talk with your orthodontist about what is planned for you. Everyone's treatment is different. Also different orthodontists use different sequences with expanders, especially if you are older.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • y do u need expander

  • @rose12322 We use an expander to correct a narrow upper jaw and when there is not enough room for all your teeth. The expander widens the upper jaw and makes more room for teeth. But the number 1 reason is to correct a cross bite of your back teeth.

    Dr. B

  • wow i got expanders and I CANT TALK AT ALL well i could but my mom is making fun of me :P lol

  • @shelly274 So Sorry your mom is making fun of you. The best way to get used to speaking with the expander is to read out loud in front of a mirror, and in no time no one will notice.

    It will all be worth it when your teeth look awsome.

    Good Luck

    Dr. B

  • I always choke whenever the orthodontist turns my exapander :/

  • this is an excellent demonstration video. thumbs up!!

  • Hey my friends little brothers getting this in like a week and i know he's very scared cuz of it being painful

    any tips on get used to it or how to ease the pain?

  • @MrNomnomPIE Most young kids adapt easily to an expander after about a week.

    There is no pain involved with the appliance. They should ask the orthodontist and the staff for any specific instructions about the appliance they are using.

    Dr. B

  • i have expander but no braces. First expander THEN braces

  • @Bigfan762 Same happened to me. Got the expander the day before my first day of Highschool... Then I got braces a month after. So for the first two weeks of school I couldn't eat or talk properly, then for two weeks it was all good.. then the top braces. I could talk normally but it hurt to eat. I just got my bottom braces on a month later, same thing. Yay.

  • how long does it take before you can go to school?

    and what cant you do.. after having such a expander in your mouth?

  • @lovehindimovie I have one, after the first two weeks you can't really feel it. But during those first 1-2 weeks, you probably won't be able to talk properly, eat properly, swallow properly, or do anything that involves your tongue properly. And even after the two weeks, you will get food stuck in between the roof of your mouth and the expander.

  • @lovehindimovie You can go to school the same day it is placed, but it does take a week or 2 to get used to speaking and eating with it in.

    Good question

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho

    thnx! ehm so you can do everything (what normal people do with their mounth:P)... after having the expander in your mounth?

  • @lovehindimovie Almost everything. You don't want to be eating anything really stickey and gooey as it will get stuck between the expander and roof of your mouth and be very hard to clean off.

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho

    I had braces for and different things for seven years, it was one of the most horrific experiences of my life. I remember after tightening the braces, you couldn't eat anything and it was like your teeth were made of glass.

    Thank god I got out when I could. Till this day, I'm wearing the permanent retainers for the rest of my life. That is completely ridiculous.

  • i got my braces 3 months ago and toady my orthodontist told me that soon i will have an expander..i would like to know if in time i will have gap even if i have my braces on

    thank you

  • @ciresica2000 Alot of time patients will develop a space between their front teeth with an expander. The space will usually go away after a few months. If a space developes depends of a few things. Your age, the rate or frequency of turning the expander and the total number of turnes. Talk to your orthodontist and they can best tell you what to expect in your case.

    Great question

    Dr. B

  • @facesortho thank you so much:)

  • I had one of those. It sucked. It hurt so much when my parents tightened it. 

  • Just got mine off today. :D BUT it hurts really bad, and the teeach that were under the plastic, are EXTREMELY sore. I got them of