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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.
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)
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.
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)
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)
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 expander)
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.
Why braces matter
Orthodontic braces are the most well known way to improve teeth. They correct various dental issues, like crooked, gapped and crowded teeth.
In a span of 1.5-2 years, these issues can be totally fixed.
Let's take a look at our favorite looksmaxxers and their smiles.
You can see how important a good smile is to being perceived as attractive. With a nice smile, you are more often seen as confident, healthy, and attractive. Teeth should be important to you as a looksmaxxer, since you show them off while flashing a smile at someone, but also while talking.
metal braces AKA conventional braces:
These are the most common braces used in orthodontics. That's because of their affordability and durability. Metal braces are usually the cheapest type of braces. They're made of either stainless steel or aluminium alloys.
Orthodontists have been using metal braces for decades. Treatment tends to be smoother and more predictable.
Metal braces work by putting constant but small pressure on your teeth. This guides them into the correct place. Brackets are glued onto each individual tooth. Through these brackets runs a thin metal wire, which guides the teeth into the correct position by applying force.
The wire is held to the brackets using elastic bands. Patients can normally choose the color they want the elastics to be.
self ligating braces
These braces are similar to metal braces.
The difference is the way the wire sits. Like earlier said, with metal braces, the wire is held in place by elastics. With self ligating braces, there is no need for elastics. These braces have a built-in clip which secures the metal wire.
Self ligating braces have a couple of advantages over metal braces.
Less appointments: There is no need for changing the elastics, since there are none.
Easier cleaning: the elastics used with metal braces can trap and plaque. The self ligating braces don't do this because there are no elastics.
Less pain: Since there is a reduction in pressure, there will also be a reduction in soreness.
Looking at the cost, these braces are usually more expensive than the conventional braces. They're also not available at every orthodontist.
lingual braces
The obvious thing here is that lingual braces are placed onto the back of the teeth, not the front. This type is perfect for people who do not want their braces to be visible to others. Lingual means 'related to the tongue', in this context lingual means the tongue side of the teeth (back side)
A big downside is the cost. Costs can vary, but are usually way higher than traditional metal braces. This is because the process of applying the braces is more difficult and takes longer.
There is not a lot to be said about lingual braces because they work in the same way as metal braces (both have brackets and a metal wire).
ceramic braces
These are also similar to metal braces. The big difference here is that the brackets are clear or tooth colored, also good for people who like the look of braces and want to hide them.
This type has certain downsides to it's big upside. I will list them below:
Cost: ceramic braces are, as you may have guessed, more expensive than conventional braces.
Less durable: These are more than twice as likely to break off or fracture. This is obviously because ceramic is less durable than metal.
Ceramic braces, like metal ones, also hold the wire in place using elastics.
clear aligners
These are a modern alternative to braces. There is no use of brackets, instead, clear aligners work using transparant plastic trays to move the teeth. Each set of trays is custom made to fit your teeth, the are worn for about 1-2 weeks before you move onto the next set. This will gradually move the teeth into the right place.
As you can see, these sets are removable, so you can easily take them off for brushing your teeth or eating. However, aligners have to be worn consistently. If you're done eating, brush teeth and put the aligner back in. They should be worn for 20-22 hours a day.
Aligners are also not fit for extreme issues, only mild to moderate ones. They're a popular choice for patients, seeing as they are close to invisible.
Just fucking go to an ortho. Also britishcels gtfih
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.
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)
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.
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)
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)
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 expander)
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.
{ orthodontic braces }
If are unhappy about your teeth, have some money for looksmaxxing, but haven't thought about braces, what are you doing?
Why braces matter
Orthodontic braces are the most well known way to improve teeth. They correct various dental issues, like crooked, gapped and crowded teeth.
In a span of 1.5-2 years, these issues can be totally fixed.
Let's take a look at our favorite looksmaxxers and their smiles.
Sean O'pry
A straight, charming smile
Jordan Barrett
Again, a straight and white smile
Chico Lachowski
Beautiful smile with straight teeth
Elias De Poot
Another white smile with good teeth
The only exception to this patter which I know of is RiRa, who I can't post a picture of by the forum's rules.A straight, charming smile
Jordan Barrett
Again, a straight and white smile
Chico Lachowski
Beautiful smile with straight teeth
Elias De Poot
Another white smile with good teeth
You can see how important a good smile is to being perceived as attractive. With a nice smile, you are more often seen as confident, healthy, and attractive. Teeth should be important to you as a looksmaxxer, since you show them off while flashing a smile at someone, but also while talking.
types of braces
metal braces AKA conventional braces:
These are the most common braces used in orthodontics. That's because of their affordability and durability. Metal braces are usually the cheapest type of braces. They're made of either stainless steel or aluminium alloys.
Orthodontists have been using metal braces for decades. Treatment tends to be smoother and more predictable.
Metal braces work by putting constant but small pressure on your teeth. This guides them into the correct place. Brackets are glued onto each individual tooth. Through these brackets runs a thin metal wire, which guides the teeth into the correct position by applying force.
The wire is held to the brackets using elastic bands. Patients can normally choose the color they want the elastics to be.
self ligating braces
These braces are similar to metal braces.
The difference is the way the wire sits. Like earlier said, with metal braces, the wire is held in place by elastics. With self ligating braces, there is no need for elastics. These braces have a built-in clip which secures the metal wire.
Self ligating braces have a couple of advantages over metal braces.
Less appointments: There is no need for changing the elastics, since there are none.
Easier cleaning: the elastics used with metal braces can trap and plaque. The self ligating braces don't do this because there are no elastics.
Less pain: Since there is a reduction in pressure, there will also be a reduction in soreness.
Looking at the cost, these braces are usually more expensive than the conventional braces. They're also not available at every orthodontist.
lingual braces
The obvious thing here is that lingual braces are placed onto the back of the teeth, not the front. This type is perfect for people who do not want their braces to be visible to others. Lingual means 'related to the tongue', in this context lingual means the tongue side of the teeth (back side)
A big downside is the cost. Costs can vary, but are usually way higher than traditional metal braces. This is because the process of applying the braces is more difficult and takes longer.
There is not a lot to be said about lingual braces because they work in the same way as metal braces (both have brackets and a metal wire).
ceramic braces
These are also similar to metal braces. The big difference here is that the brackets are clear or tooth colored, also good for people who like the look of braces and want to hide them.
This type has certain downsides to it's big upside. I will list them below:
Cost: ceramic braces are, as you may have guessed, more expensive than conventional braces.
Less durable: These are more than twice as likely to break off or fracture. This is obviously because ceramic is less durable than metal.
Ceramic braces, like metal ones, also hold the wire in place using elastics.
clear aligners
These are a modern alternative to braces. There is no use of brackets, instead, clear aligners work using transparant plastic trays to move the teeth. Each set of trays is custom made to fit your teeth, the are worn for about 1-2 weeks before you move onto the next set. This will gradually move the teeth into the right place.
As you can see, these sets are removable, so you can easily take them off for brushing your teeth or eating. However, aligners have to be worn consistently. If you're done eating, brush teeth and put the aligner back in. They should be worn for 20-22 hours a day.
Aligners are also not fit for extreme issues, only mild to moderate ones. They're a popular choice for patients, seeing as they are close to invisible.
the motherfucking end
Just fucking go to an ortho. Also britishcels gtfih
