Guest guest Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 Hi , I haven't had my expander yet, my SARPE surgery is Oct. 19th, but my surgeon mentioned this also. Its normal to have the " pop " . My OS said that I will likely hear a pop/crack at one point in doing the expansion. Hope this eases your mind some. Looks like quite a few of us on this board lately are having expanders. Its good to know I'm not the only one. Take care, Amy > Dear Group > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I visited > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a loud > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained that > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it was not > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > Regards > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 : I have been turning my expander for two days now and I just left my Orthodontist's office. He informed me about this 'crack' as well. He said it would be normal to hear one. He stated that what it basically is, is when they make the 'cuts' around the jaw, a little piece may be left there. Essentially the cut not being smooth on both sides. As these rub past each other and the cut is smooth, you will not hear anything. However, due to the bone density of everyone being different, you may have a lingering piece on one side. When you expand, the smooth side will eventually break this lingering piece off. He said it wouldn't cause a problem so don't worry, it is just a part of the process. I hope this helps. Amy is about to go through her SARPE, so any advice we can give to ease her worries, lets do it. Together we can all get through this. Take care! > > Dear Group > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I visited > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a loud > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained that > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it was not > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > Regards > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 Dear and Amy Thank you so much for your response. I'm glad to hear that this is " normal " . I turned my expander this morning without any problems - I'm just a bit sore. Tomorrow I see the Ortho again - he thinks that I'm pretty close to where they want me - I may not have to turn after tomorrow. Amy: All the best for the 19th. I was scared prior to the surgery but the op went well and I have come out the other end feeling pretty good. People have commented on how well I look! The main problem has been with my expander. I had trouble locating the hole that the screw had to go into. My husband tried also but wasn't successful. After two visits to the Ortho, the problem was rectified and I have been turning without any more problems. All the best to you both and let me know how you are going. Regards > > > Dear Group > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I > visited > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a > loud > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained > that > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it > was not > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > Regards > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 I've never even heard of it. It sounds like a midevil tourture device. I hope you are feeling better. > Dear Group > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I visited > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a loud > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained that > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it was not > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > Regards > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Hi Rene Thanks for your message. I am feeling better. An expander is a device that is used to widen your top/bottom jaw - see http://www.orthonj.com/rpe.html It does feel like torture sometimes but for me, I had no alternative. The worst part is that my speech has been affected and food gets stuck in the expander. I think that it is something you get use to, though. I don't regret the decision to have the surgery and the braces. Take care > > Dear Group > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I visited > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a loud > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained that > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it was not > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > Regards > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Hi , I just wanted to say thank you for providing the link on this site. This makes explaining the procedure to my family so much easier with a visual aid. I'm glad to hear your feeling better. How long are you expected to expand? I am waiting to hear from my OD to see when the expander is put in and how many mm they want to expand my jaw. My surgery is Oct. 19th. I'm going to ask if a water pik will help with removing food from the appliance. Only problem is that you can't bring that with you to work Have you found anything that works well? Glad to hear you have no regrets. I want to get this started more than anything since I am now experiencing more problems with my bite. Take care and hope to hear from you again soon, Amy > > > Dear Group > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I > visited > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a loud > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained that > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it was > not > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > Regards > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 > I'm going to ask if a water pik will help with removing food from > the appliance. Only problem is that you can't bring that with you > to work Have you found anything that works well? You may want to take a look at this portable Waterpik. I haven't tried it myself, but just saw it on their site recently and thought about it when you mentioned taking one to work. http://www.waterpik.com/products/SpecDisplay.do?prdNbr=1258 ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 There are portable waterpiks you can take with you to work. But don't use one unless or until your surgeon clears it. they have been known to pop stitches... You will probably also want instructions about how you may use it -- on low power only, only pointing away from stitches, etc., etc. That's assuming that there are stitches after the SARPE. (I never had one, so don't know.) Still, be sure to ask your surgeon. Cammie > > > > Dear Group > > > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I > > visited > > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a > loud > > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained > that > > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it > was > > not > > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Thanks . I will definitely look into this as an option. I probably will have a whole dental kit at the office so the waterpik won't look out of place Take care, Amy > > I'm going to ask if a water pik will help with removing food from > > the appliance. Only problem is that you can't bring that with you > > to work Have you found anything that works well? > > You may want to take a look at this portable Waterpik. I haven't > tried it myself, but just saw it on their site recently and thought > about it when you mentioned taking one to work. > > http://www.waterpik.com/products/SpecDisplay.do?prdNbr=1258 > > ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Thanks for the information Cammie. I definitely plan on asking my OD and OS what I can use. I want to be careful. I don't know if they put in stitches with a SARPE. That's something else I will need to ask. I do plan on getting an Oral B electronic toothbrush (I just use a regular one) as I've been told they remove plaque better with braces. The water pik came to mind with food getting stuck in the appliance. I've seen various small interdental brushes that look like they might work also. Not sure which dental floss is the best - any suggestions? I appreciate all the good information from everyone and will add this to my list of questions for my docs. Thanks again, Amy > > > > > Dear Group > > > > > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, > I > > > visited > > > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a > > loud > > > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho > explained > > that > > > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and > it > > was > > > not > > > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 Thanks very much Cammie - I'll ask. I did indeed have stitches around the entire top jaw but they have dissolved now. Regards > > > > > Dear Group > > > > > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, > I > > > visited > > > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a > > loud > > > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho > explained > > that > > > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and > it > > was > > > not > > > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2005 Report Share Posted September 20, 2005 HI Amy I expanded for about 10 days (1cm gap created between my front teeth!). I see my ortho on Thursday to find out how long I need to keep the expander in. During surgery, the surgeon had to cut the arch wire to allow for expansion - the wire will be replaced on Thursday (my first adjustment - thinking of getting pink ligatures). Re food in the expander - the shower is good for removing food. At work, I just have to rinse my mouth a lot after I have eaten. Thanks to Cammie's advice, I'll look into purchasing a waterpik. Bye for now.... > > > > Dear Group > > > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, I > > visited > > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a > loud > > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho explained > that > > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and it > was > > not > > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Hi , Wow, the expansion happens fast. Definitely get the pink ligatures, I'm getting them too when I get my braces - pinks my favorite color. I won't be getting my braces on until after the expander. My OD said it won't delay treatment so he will put the bottom ones on when he does the top. My expander goes in on the 12th. That will give me a week to get used to it before surgery. I get the spacers in next Wednesday. I'm investing in the portable waterpik if its OK'd also. I don't work near home, so I plan on keeping a dental kit at work for after breakfast and lunch. Hope all goes well at your appointment tomorrow. Amy > > > > > Dear Group > > > > > > > > > > For the past week, I have been turning my expander. Today, > I > > > visited > > > > > the ortho who moved it twice. On the second turn, I heard a > > loud > > > > > crack - it hurt a little and still does. The ortho > explained > > that > > > > > this had something to do with the bone in my upper jaw and > it > > was > > > not > > > > > unusual. Has anyone else experienced this? > > > > > > > > > > Regards > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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