29 year old getting RPE (rapid palate expansion) before braces

[Guest guest]

I am a 29 year old male with a narrow upper palate causing an un-

aligning bite. A couple teeth are pushed out because overcrowding,

but nothing too noticable. The advice is mixed concerning this

elective cosmetic surgery especially when you have not experienced

pain or other serious problems. I had the surgery to correct what my

doctor, orthodontist, surgeon, and I thought might be a future TMJ

problem. The health insurance didn't pay, but then again they rarely

pay for anything preventive unless required or forced. I decided

early on I wanted straight teeth and nobody was stopping me.

I started researching the process when I was 25 and added additional

insurance the following year to have the procedure covered. Then my

employer dropped that special plan before I could get started. Then I

fought with the insurance company for another year before saving the

money 2 years to have it done. The cost was about $8,000 and would

have cost $2,000 more if I had the procedure at a hospital

(recommended if you can afford). The amount includes $4,000 paid to

the surgeon (bone separation) and $4,000 paid to the orthodontist

(expander & braces). The two doctors work together closely until

expansion is complete.

Besides being on pain medication which may prevent operation of heavy

machinery (cars) you can do most things after surgery, pain willing.

I even suffered with pain (while off the medication) to do some

driving while not groggy. I don't recommend this surgery for anyone

that does not have some kind of pain tolerance.

The first two weeks you take Penicillin and rinse twice a day with

something that tastes like Listerine. Since surgery I have been

taking Vicodin (pain), Ibuprofen (pain), Ambien (sleep), Allegra

(sinus) and my multivitamin 3 times a day. After the first week I

began expanding 2 turns twice a day. Each turn is .25 millimeters so

each day I was expanding 1 mm. The pain is tremendous sometimes I'd

say 7-9 on 1-10 scale so pain management by medication becomes your

primary concern. I am now at 2 weeks post-op and will be returning to

work tomorrow. My doctor recommended at least 1 week off work.

I really wish my parents had forced me to get braces when I was

younger before the bone fused. In fact one of the insurance people

told me " kids don't want to get braces, but as parents we make them " .

Too bad nobody told may parents that 20 years ago. I would not have

needed surgery then because the expander would have worked without

first separating the bone. A dental assistant discouraged me from

having surgery by saying " your teeth are part of your personality,

you shouldn't want to change " .

If your doctor says you need the surgery then you will get it, but

electively I would think twice and weigh the benefits. At the time

(when I made the decision) I was not married and it would have made

me more attractive. The person I was dating at the time had also gone

through extensive orthodontics and encouraged me. Now I am thinking

better self esteem, confidence and once I complete my master's degree

it will help me get a better job. My spouse is very supportive

although my parents said " don't do it " and did not understand.

The procedure is also called a Maxillary LeFort 1 osteotomy.

[Guest guest]

I am a 29 year old male with a narrow upper palate causing an un-

aligning bite. A couple teeth are pushed out because overcrowding,

but nothing too noticable. The advice is mixed concerning this

elective cosmetic surgery especially when you have not experienced

pain or other serious problems. I had the surgery to correct what my

doctor, orthodontist, surgeon, and I thought might be a future TMJ

problem. The health insurance didn't pay, but then again they rarely

pay for anything preventive unless required or forced. I decided

early on I wanted straight teeth and nobody was stopping me.

I started researching the process when I was 25 and added additional

insurance the following year to have the procedure covered. Then my

employer dropped that special plan before I could get started. Then I

fought with the insurance company for another year before saving the

money 2 years to have it done. The cost was about $8,000 and would

have cost $2,000 more if I had the procedure at a hospital

(recommended if you can afford). The amount includes $4,000 paid to

the surgeon (bone separation) and $4,000 paid to the orthodontist

(expander & braces). The two doctors work together closely until

expansion is complete.

Besides being on pain medication which may prevent operation of heavy

machinery (cars) you can do most things after surgery, pain willing.

I even suffered with pain (while off the medication) to do some

driving while not groggy. I don't recommend this surgery for anyone

that does not have some kind of pain tolerance.

The first two weeks you take Penicillin and rinse twice a day with

something that tastes like Listerine. Since surgery I have been

taking Vicodin (pain), Ibuprofen (pain), Ambien (sleep), Allegra

(sinus) and my multivitamin 3 times a day. After the first week I

began expanding 2 turns twice a day. Each turn is .25 millimeters so

each day I was expanding 1 mm. The pain is tremendous sometimes I'd

say 7-9 on 1-10 scale so pain management by medication becomes your

primary concern. I am now at 2 weeks post-op and will be returning to

work tomorrow. My doctor recommended at least 1 week off work.

I really wish my parents had forced me to get braces when I was

younger before the bone fused. In fact one of the insurance people

told me " kids don't want to get braces, but as parents we make them " .

Too bad nobody told may parents that 20 years ago. I would not have

needed surgery then because the expander would have worked without

first separating the bone. A dental assistant discouraged me from

having surgery by saying " your teeth are part of your personality,

you shouldn't want to change " .

If your doctor says you need the surgery then you will get it, but

electively I would think twice and weigh the benefits. At the time

(when I made the decision) I was not married and it would have made

me more attractive. The person I was dating at the time had also gone

through extensive orthodontics and encouraged me. Now I am thinking

better self esteem, confidence and once I complete my master's degree

it will help me get a better job. My spouse is very supportive

although my parents said " don't do it " and did not understand.

The procedure is also called a Maxillary LeFort 1 osteotomy.