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Info Maxillary expanders ◇ My experience ◇ General information

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thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
Maxilla.jpg


The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
20251002_165839.png

This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
20251002_165755.png

The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
marpe-with-3d-metal-printed-bands.png


The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

expansor-maxilar-v2-marca-de-agua-600x400.jpg

SARPE-osteotomias-530x792.jpg


SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

Screenshot_20250925_175006_Gallery.jpg


Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!
 
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thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
View attachment 188618

The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
View attachment 188619
This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188684
The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188687

The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

View attachment 188695
View attachment 188696

SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

View attachment 188708

Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!

read every molecule
 
thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
View attachment 188618

The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
View attachment 188619
This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188684
The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188687

The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

View attachment 188695
View attachment 188696

SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

View attachment 188708

Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!

dnr, ortho's are a looksmin.
 
thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
View attachment 188618

The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
View attachment 188619
This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188684
The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188687

The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

View attachment 188695
View attachment 188696

SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

View attachment 188708

Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!

Save it for later, will give my thoughts after class
 
Got a RPE when i was young and thank god my mom sat on it soon, now i have a gap in my teeth from the maxillary expansions luls and also could have ruined my symmetry, this stuff is no joke, could fuck up your ipd, mouth to nose, and zygo to mandible be careful
 
Got a RPE when i was young and thank god my mom sat on it soon, now i have a gap in my teeth from the maxillary expansions luls and also could have ruined my symmetry, this stuff is no joke, could fuck up your ipd, mouth to nose, and zygo to mandible be careful
You didn't get braces after?
Also for me the gap closed naturally after, though I had MARPE
 
You didn't get braces after?
Also for me the gap closed naturally after, though I had MARPE
My gap got smaller ofc but i will take photos of it and see if thumbpulling is going to increase it 😹 will do it while showering so no time lost dont flame me for ts please nah braces were expensive asf back then like 3 monthly salaries that are slightly above the average, and my sister need them more back then and btw my maxilla expanding sorted my teeth out so its just slight imperfection rn
 
My gap got smaller ofc but i will take photos of it and see if thumbpulling is going to increase it 😹 will do it while showering so no time lost dont flame me for ts please nah braces were expensive asf back then like 3 monthly salaries that are slightly above the average, and my sister need them more back then and btw my maxilla expanding sorted my teeth out so its just slight imperfection rn
good luck my bhai
 
That’s me motm you were robbed
 
thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
View attachment 188618

The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
View attachment 188619
This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188684
The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188687

The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

View attachment 188695
View attachment 188696

SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

View attachment 188708

Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!

DR
Did Read 😎
 
thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
View attachment 188618

The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
View attachment 188619
This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188684
The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188687

The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

View attachment 188695
View attachment 188696

SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

View attachment 188708

Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!

What do you think I'll get for having a deep bite I'm hoping for insurance covered bimax but that's unlikely
 
What do you think I'll get for having a deep bite I'm hoping for insurance covered bimax but that's unlikely
Definetly no expander, I have no idea what the ortho would do about this. And yeah the bimax is unlikely unless its a bad case
 
thread music:

Ye ye my 2nd actual looksmaxxing thread, let's fucking get into it brahs
@apatheia @rovea @Yara @Blackpillirony @PingPong @RAD

What is a maxillary expander/palatal expander? -------> The maxillary expander is a device used in Orthodontics with the purpose of widening the maxilla for various reasons.

1 ◇ General knowledge

The goal of the maxillary expander is to widen the maxilla like I said earlier. To understand the process of widening the maxilla, I should give you more information on the maxilla itself.

The maxilla (upper jaw)
View attachment 188618

The upper jaw consists of two halves that join at the midpalatal suture, which I have drew in a blue line onto the picture below:
View attachment 188619
This makes it so these two halves can be separated, so new bone grows inbetween the newly formed gap caused by the expander, permanently widening the maxilla. Wider maxilla = better looking





.there are certain types of maxillary expanders for different ages and goals.

• RPE (rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188684
The RPE works by turning the key in the middle of the device. By doing that, the device pushes it's 'arms' outwards. The RPE is used in cases where the midpalatal sutures are not yet fused (you can expect them to be fused around age 15). The RPE stays in for 3-6 months, giving the chance for bone growth in the newly created gap.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks. Depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve.

• MARPE (miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expander)
View attachment 188687

The MARPE is not only attached by the teeth like the RPE, it is attached directly to the bone, using miniscrews. This makes it so results can be achieved even in young adults, where the midpalatal suture may be partially fused or fully fused. This is what I got, though I'll elaborate on my experience later. The MARPE will stay on for longer than the RPE, since the bone growth does not come as fast for young adults.

Turning of the key: 2-4 weeks (3 in my case). This depends on the amount of expansion your ortho wants to achieve. Longer time = more expansion.

• SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)

View attachment 188695
View attachment 188696

SARPE is a combination of surgery and an RPE device. This will be done for patients who's midpalatal suture has fully fused (adults). First, the ortho will place your RPE device into your mouth. After this, you will get your surgery. During surgery, the maxillofacial surgeon performs a vertical osteotomy (cut in the bone) in the maxillary midline, as well as a Le Fort I osteotomy to facilitate expansion. The surgeon will instruct you on when to start the turning of the key.

2 ◇ My experience

I got my expander on the 25th of april. It is now the 2nd of october. Before the actual procedure where you get your expander, I had to get photos taken at the ortho's. They put this in some software and calculate lots of ortho shit. Sadly I do not have these files. I was very busy looking at the hot ortho's assistant so I don't remember much of what the man said.

The actual day I got my expander was horrible. I remember it was a very sad day because I had some weird ahh maths test that day, but that's besides the point.

Once in the ortho's chair, he told me what was going to be happening, the gameplan. They injected some numbing thing into my mouth and also a filthy numbing cream. After that, the ortho put the caps of the expander onto my teeth ( blue). Directly after, they drill the screws into your palate (red). This didn't hurt at all, because of the numbing.

View attachment 188708

Everything was installed at this point. Went home with a plan from the ortho, I had to turn the key for 3 weeks (?) (dont really remember might have been 2) Twice a day. The same day the numbing wears off and you are left in horrible discomfort, not even joking. My mouth felt so full, and eating solid food was impossible. These things like eating and swallowing have to be re-learned because your tongue has way less space to move. I told my mom to buy lots of puddings and minute-soup.

This is all I have to say, thanks for reading!

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