I'm wondering what is a normal length of time to leave a dental expander in after you are finished turning it? I feel like I'm getting a different answer every time I ask at my dentist's office. I thought they were going to take it out the last time we were in and then the tech didn't do it, but I really felt like she just didn't want to. She said oh no, you need to wait a year...I wish I had written it down the appt before b/c I thought I was losing my mind that they had told me we could get it out next time. Then the dentist came in and said, ok, we'll take it out next time...which is Dec 6th...well, if its not that important, my daughter would REALLY like to have it out before her trip to LA in mid-Nov. I understand the possibility of the space closing back, but I'm starting to feel like that is a convenient answer if they don't want to take it out. (I called last week to see if we could move the appt up and the lady said no)Is there anyone that has had an expander in and could tell me how long it stayed in after you stopped turning? That would really help me figure out what I should do!
Thank yoU!
Thank you so much for your replies! I called and talked to the advisor who spoke to the dentist and she is scheduled to have it taken off in 2 weeks! Thanks so much for giving me the information I needed to go ahead and make the call!
my daughter had hers in for less than six months. They took it out in the same visit that the put her braces on. We had the braces on for about 1 1/2 yrs and now she has a retainer for the upper that she wears at night and a permanent retainer soldered to her bottom teeth.
D.
SAHM of three:19,18,and 5
Home Baker and Crafter. Married to the same wonderful man for almost 12 years.
I think it varies - my son who is 9 had his expander in for almost 9 months total and now will wear a retainer until her gets braces when he is about 13
I would not speak to anyone in your dentist's office except the dentist himself about this issue. Seems as though he isn't payting very good attention. Also, call him on it on the spot, like "OK, last time you said the same thing, so what is going on here?" I know those women think they know as much (and in many cases probably do) as the dentist, but ultimately it is he who will make the call, not them. Sounds like your frustration is as much from the all the different answers as from the expander. I had an expander when I was 14 and I had it for about a year. I hated mine and the space between my front teeth, but now have beautiful teeth I get compliments on, so it is well worth the embarrassment at 9. (I am now 32) A couple of "teaching moments" here. You guys are very blessed that you can afford orthodontic care, many people can not. Tell her this. Tell your daughter that "this is what we go through to be gorgeous" and you will be glad in the long run you went through this because your teeth are going to be perfect. Help her to accept the fact that she will not have it out before her trip. Encourage her not to show her teeth in pictures and just try to talk as little as possible, this will benefit her in more ways than one. Maybe a perfect time to get her into a good book!
My 9 year old daughter got her expander 13 months ago and will get it off in a few weeks and then wear a retainer for 1 year. Our Orthodontist was consistent in saying she would be in it for 1 year (the expander).
I know it varies by dentist/orthodontist. All three of my children had expanders and the longest I remember one staying in was about 6 months after turning. Only one son had a lower expander (they all had upper)-- the ortho did put a retainer bar on his lower teeth after he removed the expander, to prevent them from shifting back.
My DD had hers in for about 8 months and then it was replaced with a permanent retainer that she will wear until she gets her braces at around age 12. (She is got the expander at 8 and is now 10.)
HI Angel,
My 9 y/o has an expander. The one that you have to turn about 32 times. The one device she had that you had to turn was very big and bulky. Food got caught under neath it and it was a pain. But then our dentist changed it to a smaller device that helps to keep the expansion open, and yes she will keep it in for a while. But it is not as big, she hardly notices it. She has had it for a year, and will probably keep it for some time. Her other expander (the one you turned) kept on falling out on one side, so they changed it out. I hope this helps. Once the turning is done, you have to keep the work you have done from closing up so to speak. Hope this helps
M.
I cant help you with your original question,but I do feel the need to have you prepare yourself and her for how it might feel...NO ONE warned me, and I was worried. When I had mine taken out..I was 18 BTW, so it could be different..but I took it out over the sink, and there was a lot of bleeding. I was so surprised, but they later told me that it was likely that a layer or more of skin had become attatched to the expander. So, it was really gross, and then, the other thing was that it smelled and tasted awful..which again was later explained that frequently food particles get stuck and you never know it... you can imagine. The roof of my mouth felt like I had a pizza burn for several days, so I would not do it immediately before a trip, she may be uncomfortable. It was obviously several years ago, and it might not be the same, but on the off chance that it could, you are at least prepared with some questions to ask the dr. when they take it out..I really think I would have handled it better had I just known. Good luck to you, and her for sure! ~A.~
Hi A.,
My 9 year old daughter had an expander and when we were done turning it, she had an appliance put in to take the place of the expander. It basically holds everything in place until all her permanent teeth come in. It has now been 18 months, and I feel much the same as you do... we never get a direct answer from the orthodontist. Very vague. I do understand your frustration. My daughter is beside herself after each visit because this new appliance is very cumbersome and unattractive. I keep telling her that she will have a beautiful smile for the rest of her life!! Good luck to you.
We are getting ours this week and have been told from the beginning that she will wear it for a year followed by the retainers/braces. It is outlined in our treatment plan that we received at our initial consultation.
My daughter had her's in for around a year. She then went into a retainer day and night except for eating for another 9-12 months then nighttime only until now when she is getting her braces. She started with the expander in 2003 and has worn it (12 months) and has had 2 different retainers until now.
BTW Saw your note about homeschooling... send me a private note if you have questions. --D. M
I had an expander when I was in Jr High, a little older than your daughter. (I'm now 24) I don't know how much they've changed in that amount of time, but I had it in for quite a long time. My jaw was narrow & lopsided & after we did the spacers, we put on the palet expander. It looked like a 4 legged spider that came together at the top of my mouth, & it had a little hole for a little key that we had to turn on a regular basis. I can't remember exactly how long I had it on, but I think it was all throughout 7th grade. (I had braces put on the first day of 8th grade & had them through my Jr year of high school) While I agree that they need to give you a straight answer, don't take it off before it's time. If her jaw moves back to where it was before the expander was put on, not only is it a waste of time & money, she'll have to do it again. No fun there!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!
A., (this is odd that we have the same name and last initial) I currently work for an orthodontist in Allen, and have been an assistant for 8 years. From my experience, an Orthodontist may do one of two things. First, the patient may start with an expander and possibly braces on their upper 4 front teeth. This treatment may go on for 12-14 months and then everything is removed and the patient wears a retainer. The other option would be, the patient would start with an upper expander, and have that in for 6-9 months and then have an appliance called a nance put in. (also known as a space maintainer, is is smaller than the expander and closer to the palat. This appliance is then kept in until all of the primary teeth are gone and the permanent teeth are in.) Once the expansion is achieved you do not want to loose it, this movement is easier to do at a younger age.) If you have the option of which type of appliance your daughter could have after the expander,I would recommend the space maintainer (nance) because it is permanent, won't get lost or thrown away like a retainer, and just easy to maintain. In the long run it will save you alot of headaches and money. Good luck to you guys and if you have any further questions or if I can be of any help to you and your daughter feel free to e-mail me.
Thanks!
A.
My son (12)had his for a year since they put it in.
My daughter is 10 and has one and the ortho said 1 year from the time they put it in. It expands the growth plate in the mouth to be able to fit all their teeth in later.
My 11 year old grandson has one-leave it in and quit worrying about it. I was an orthodontist assistant and it takes time-you will be happy with the end results. Braces usually follow at about 12-15 and then straight teeth for the rest of your life. What a blessing of what they can do now about teeth.
V. B.
Worked in children's dentistry for 10 years. No, it's not uncommon for it to stay in a good length of time. It may be inconvenient, but by this point, I'm sure your daughter is used to it, and it's a lot of money and time to invest to take the chance on the space closing back up and possibly having to go through it again. It's like adult braces and retainers. Even after you no longer wear them full-time, you wear them at night...for good just to be on the safe side. Might not be the answer you want to hear, but hopefully it helps.
Hi! One of my sons had an expander and he had to have it on after we were done turning it for like a year. Don't freak out. The orthodontist willl take it off when she is ready. Every kid is different. Hang in there. You'll discover that with orthodontia the best guess estimates... are just that. Another one of my boys had braces since 7th grade, and he is now a Senior. They just took them off last month. It was supposed to be 2-3 years. Hang in there and God bless.
M.
