I plan to use this thread to show the results of my mewing process.
I’ve been mewing (and browsing this forum for over a month).
I haven’t been tracking my progress until recently
I don’t think I’ve made any measurable progress yet, since the correct tongue and jaw position is hard to master, and maintaining the correct posture requires actively focusing on it.
But I think I’m on the right track, I lift my tongue to the point it blocks my pharynx and then I lower it until I’m able to breathe.
I apply quite a bit of force (hard mewing), I feel the pressure all the way to my forehead (I think this is a good indicator). I apply this force most of the time I am awake (my tongue gets tired, but it has gotten stronger). The tongue has no contact with the frontal teeth, but it does touch the upper molars. I believe clenching my teeth will support progress in the movement of the maxilla, and it will also make sure both arches stay similar.
I am almost 20, and I’ve been using braces for around 9 months. My case was not severe but I have noticed positive changes in the straightness and overcrowdedness of my teeth and new contacts between pieces where the teeth did not touch before, I did not pay attention to changes in the arches but they seem ok (U shape) rn. I don’t know how recessed my maxilla was before the braces, but now I realized it is somewhat recessed, I don’t know if the braces are a factor in this.
I am also working on fixing my forward head posture, it think this is a big factor in craniofacial dystrophy.
I never had a problem breathing, but I might breathe through my mouth while asleep, not sure. Haven’t had any noticeable changes in this aspect so far.
I am using two methods to measure change and progress:
To analyze the arches, measure intermolar and intercanine width, I made a cardboard cutting with the shape of the arches and I bit into it, making sure that every piece made contact with the card. I identified the individual teeth.
Using this method I measured from one molar (the inner cuspids of the first molar) to the other.
The result (measured the 17th of august) was around 41 mm. Measuring from the outer cuspids the result is around 55 mm. I don’t know if these results could be compared with other intermolar widths (is this how it is normally measured?).
The point of this is to have something to compare the next measurement with, see the changes in positions and hopefully progress.
I’ll take another measurement with this method soon.
Braces + hard mewing surely will have effects on the position, but remember that knowing which one is the reason is impossible if I don’t stop one. Beware of that when making your own conclusions in this thread.
I also measure the lower set of teeth. The lower arch is slightly smaller. I don’t think I have any tipping in any tooth.
If there’s any expansion in the upper arch the lower arch must also expand somehow, I’d would be unable to bite otherwise. Chewing is supposed to maintain the contact between the pieces and move them accordingly, but if that doesn’t work I wonder if I could use some sort of expander for the lower set of teeth.
Maybe later I’ll upload a picture of the card if anyone wants to see.
The other method I am using to measure change is with standardized pictures, same distance, same light, same camera position and so on.
I marked the floor and wall as guides. The angles at which I have my head might vary slightly (especially in the front picture). I could build some sort of structure to put my head, and my camera to keep everything tightly fixed if I believe this is necessary.
Right now I am taking pictures daily (this is probably overkill), maybe useful for a time lapse if there’s any progress. I plan to release a set of pictures in a few months, for discussion, but I ask to not reference them outside the forum.
I also have another bone-remodeling project (ribcage) under consideration. If someone is interested then feel free to ask and I’ll make a post about it if that’s allowed.
The result (measured the 17th of august) was around 41 mm. Measuring from the outer cuspids the result is around 55 mm. I don’t know if these results could be compared with other intermolar widths (is this how it is normally measured?).
You might want to subtract a millimeter or two to compare your intermolar width to those measuring from the gingival margins (as discussed in this thread: /community/community/main-forum/easiest-way-to-measure-intermolar-width/# ).
Posted by: Apollo
I've tried this with cardstock paper. It seems to work pretty well for tracking progress, but as you suggest in your instructions you have to factor in a slight adjustment since the impression is marking the cusps of your molars rather than the gingival margins which would be slightly closer together.
I also have another bone-remodeling project (ribcage) under consideration. If someone is interested then feel free to ask and I’ll make a post about it if that’s allowed.
I'm interested. I have pectus excavatum and am starting to wonder if this could be postural related. I also have slightly bowed legs, which are probably posture related
Yes, I have a similar problem. I have a mild case of asymmetric pectus carinatum. There’s a two options that I know of for carinatum treatment, a chest brace but this is only recommended for younger people. The other option is surgery, there are two main procedures available. I’ll try to explain the principles.
In one surgery they cut and extract some of the connective tissue between the affected ribs and the sternum and they sew them back together. This surgery is risky, invasive and it doesn’t produce optimal results IMO.
The newer version of the surgery inserts a metal (more if needed) rod along the ribs. This rod is screwed to the ribs and it must stay there for a few years.
This is a pectus excavatum surgery, but it has been shown to work on carinatum too.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022522309000142
This surgery is designed for young people. But it has been tried on older (and sturdier) people.
https://academic.oup.com/ejcts/article/40/2/334/440878
Further reading about pectus carinatum.
https://healthjade.com/pectus-carinatum/
The braces are not recommended if the pressure needed to correct it if high, mine is.
The braces I’ve seen use focalized pressure in the point in which it protrudes the most.
I don’t think many of the braces available would be able to put enough pressure, I also can’t really afford it, so I’d like to try something before getting older (harder to make changes).
Based on these points there’s the design I want to build: two metal planks that apply pressure on the front, where the deformation is (and one on the back). These two pieces are attached to each other by non-elastic belts. The current height of the planks is around 14 centimeters on the front, this height is not need on the sides.
It is only supposed to make contact with the ribs on the front and back, not the sides. The length must be longer to the chest width.
The planks should be straight in the center (around 22 centimeters) and then they should follow the curvature of a circle with 7 cm diameter (until it is somewhat parallel to the sides). This is to make the apparatus less noticeable (I plan to use it several hours a day and maybe even while sleeping).
The planks must be thick enough to not bend while applying pressure, this way the pressure will be on the needed places. The belts are tightened to some length that corrects the carinatum.
At first the pressure will be only in the protrude, but it should be distributed evenly as it changes.
I hope this description is clear enough, I will make and upload a drawing if it was not.
The design (and materials) is still under consideration, so feel free to make suggestions.
I still have some worries about the design.
Maybe the pressure will modify my back and my vertebral column (any change would be negative).
Maybe the pressure is too much and it’ll damage the skin, in this case the only option would be surgery.
I believe proper posture will help with the re-shaping of the ribs and movement of the sternum
I’ll keep you updated.
@azrael
Hi!
Thank you so much for your interest, that is really appreciated
I got my bracers off last year and I was pleased with the results. I think the bracers limited the movement of my facial bones.
I got the retainr to the shape of my mouth and arches after the treatment, I did not plan on using it, only if something went wrong. After the treatment I've continued mewing and it got much easier over time, although hardmewing always requires concious effort.
I am still pleased with my teeth so far, but there have been changes, the retainer stopped fitting comfortably after a while, and now it does not really fit any longer
I have a permanent retainer in my lower frontal teeth which I plan on removing myself at some point, but they haven't bothered me so far
I took some extra measurements overtime and I noticed a slight increase, but those observations might be biased. I don't have the logs with me since I moved, which also disrupted my progress photos. But I will take measurements soon and compare them with the original ones
I never experienced any changes in breathing, which is nice
The ribcage project was abandoned, it did correct the structure of the ribs and "softenned; them so it was easier to get them in the ccorrect shape, but after a few hours of not wearing the aparatus the progress would regress + inflamation. The process was highly painful and the skin did get damaged it also limited my movement quite heavily. So I stopped it. I do not have any plans on retaking it yet. I think the visual aspects can be improved by musculature so I am trying to tackle it that way
My apologies for not being as consistent as intended. I will measure my arches again and post results as soon as I have them
Cheers and thanks again
@azrael
Hi!
Thank you so much for your interest, that is really appreciated
I got my bracers off last year and I was pleased with the results. I think the bracers limited the movement of my facial bones.
I got the retainr to the shape of my mouth and arches after the treatment, I did not plan on using it, only if something went wrong. After the treatment I've continued mewing and it got much easier over time, although hardmewing always requires concious effort.
I am still pleased with my teeth so far, but there have been changes, the retainer stopped fitting comfortably after a while, and now it does not really fit any longer
I have a permanent retainer in my lower frontal teeth which I plan on removing myself at some point, but they haven't bothered me so far
I took some extra measurements overtime and I noticed a slight increase, but those observations might be biased. I don't have the logs with me since I moved, which also disrupted my progress photos. But I will take measurements soon and compare them with the original ones
I never experienced any changes in breathing, which is nice
The ribcage project was abandoned, it did correct the structure of the ribs and "softenned; them so it was easier to get them in the ccorrect shape, but after a few hours of not wearing the aparatus the progress would regress + inflamation. The process was highly painful and the skin did get damaged it also limited my movement quite heavily. So I stopped it. I do not have any plans on retaking it yet. I think the visual aspects can be improved by musculature so I am trying to tackle it that way
My apologies for not being as consistent as intended. I will measure my arches again and post results as soon as I have them
Cheers and thanks again
Well, I came upon your post accidentally when I was looking for progress pics but I was interested in a person who was about to get into this prepared from the beginning like me (newbie mewer).
Anyhow, wish you luck. Keep us posted.
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