My journey to widen my maxilla without a orthodontist

take before and after xrays and make sure its your maxilla/palate widening and not just molar flaring

ok thanks. I had x rays last week, I'm ready to start but nobody wants to install it. They all want to take as much money as they can from me by "studing the case". Same answer to more tan 10 phonecalls now...

I think the DNA appliance, the Biobloc stage 1, the Homeoblock appliance, or the ALF appliance would be a better choices for palatal expansion. The ALF works more slowly than the other devices but allows for better tongue involvement in the process.

However, I believe most palatal expanders can work well assuming you do not expand rapidly. Expand at a slow or a semislow rate. What this means in numbers I do not have in my head right now, google it.

I really hope you can find a way to expand your dental arches. There are many documented cases of adults expanding their palates using devices such as the ones listed above. In particular the DNA appliance I believe have many recently documented cases. So there should be plenty of information you can find and provide to doctors so that they understand it is very possible to achieve even in adults. There are studies published in peer reviewed journals that prove that it is possible, these are probably the ones you might want to show to the doctors you want to convince.

I'm wondering this too. I can't afford these things professionally, but I would have no idea how to set one up myself and use it if I were to buy the expander itself. Maybe some "underground dentist" can help me figure that out? LOL. It seems this is a hard trick to skip without professional help.

Here I'am. I finally managed to modify the device and made it a removable expander. I already made 3 turns of expansion (0.75mm) and I measured an expansion of my intermolar widht of about 0.4 mm. The modified defice is not very confortable and I'm trying to wear it as much as I can, at least 6 hours a day. I also tryed to sleep with it and made it 4/5 nights. I used a hold retainer that I used after the orthodontic treatment, two different glues and a cutter to define it and make as little as possible. Expansion started day 20 of may.

How fast can I go? I was thinking about 1mm a month.

I would be concerned about the toxicity of these glues. Be careful. It is easy to cause more harm than good!

@admin has been dissuading people from attempting unsupervised palate expansion because of the risks: 

Posted by: TGW

I personally would have done the same if I had not stopped using the expander altogether. 

Be very very very careful with the areas that you are experiencing irritation with the mucosa - it is a very thin wedge of flesh between the expander acrylic and the teeth roots. The roots of the teeth are not soft -they're the exact same as the rest of the tooth, just under the gums. So the places where you have irritation of the mucosa are being pressed between two hard surfaces - be careful.

Another user contacted me about how they were feeling irritation in one area, and then one day noticed that they had accidentally wore through the gum and had exposed a tiny bit of the root of their molar.

After keeping the expander out for a week the gums began to heal, but it took over a month to repair fully - but they were young (high 20s) so they had that capability.  That user promised me they'd stop using the expander, and after that I now push for tongue posture above all else and do not recommend any new users attempt using an expander. 

Maybe the "Adult Palate Expansion Progress" article should be updated with a warning.

I take the risk anyway. For the moment I have no other chance to do it because of the place where I live and the job situation. I just want to take from 2 to 3 mm with this device and then stop for a while and try to order a myobrace.

The toxicity of glue is taken in count and for the moment it doesnt seem to be an issue. No strange reaction of my body.

I admire your determination, and I know how it can feel like a couple mm are make-or-break for tongue posture since I started with about the same intermolar width. I just wonder if you could have embedded the metal framework into parts of a thermoplastic mouthguard or some other non-toxic material. Does it press against your alveolar ridge or just your teeth? I'm concerned about how uncomfortable you say it is. Is the discomfort in your teeth or gums? If you start having side effects like teeth tipping, gum recession, and ulcers, please don't ignore the warnings signs! Here is a case where removable expanders caused more harm than good even with professional supervision:

https://wholebodybreathing.com/community/community/case-discussions/cautionary-palate-expander-case/#

Keep going. I had an half turn (0.125mm) on 5th of june and another today, so I'm now at 1mm of expansion, my goal is to expand 2mm and then try to mantein the results and see what appens.

No pain, sometimes I have disconfort chewing, on my teeth I have the same kind of sensations that I had wearing braces years ago. My upper incisor also give me some signals, this could be a proove that something is appening in my maxilla bone. Anyway I'm sure that most of the movement will be teeth tipping but this is not bad because I need it to.

2mm of real expansion by the end of the year would be a great success for me, but I'm sure that the only way to get results is to find a good orthodontist that expands my maxilla with a fixed expander.

Awesome diy approach. 

1. I echo Apollo's concern regarding toxicity. Perhaps do a little extra research and possibly supplement with something that might help offset the health effects. I know you don't feel anything, but that doesn't mean bad things aren't happening.

2. Go slow. Everywhere I read they recommend going slow in order for new bone to grow, otherwise the results will only be temporary.

Good luck! I think someone as determined as you will have success.

Do you live in Europe? 

If so I have a solution for you.

let me know 

Posted by: Gold25

Do you live in Europe? 

If so I have a solution for you.

let me know 

curious to hear your solution

i flew to kiev, ukraine and they did a great job of making me a homeoblock for my palate. They also made me one for my jaw. cost 500 AUD  for both upper and lower. It is a great clinic. any questions let me know 

lumident 

thanks, that's  something I was thinking about too, going to a CEE country and have it fixed there for 1/4 the price 

my only concern is how do manage all the follow up appointments (like every 6-8 weeks)?

Since you apply the semi rapid expansion yourself there is really no danger and therefore can go longer between appointments. You can always explain to your dentist that it is not possible for you to see them every 8 weeks and sort out a longer time period. Definitely eastern Europe for dental but Ukraine was cheaper than everyone.. Budapest, Sofia etc 

great thanks for your answer 🙂

would be awesome if you could report back in 6 months or 12 months time and let us know how your overall experience was. what's your plan actually if i may ask?

will do. I am attempting to speed up the process and face the risks involved.

I was advised to expand the appliance once a week.

I am doing much more than that and want to see how quickly i can expand my palate. 

He said that I may need braces for a short time to correct teeth alignment. Many of his cases did not need it. If i do need some i would buy lingual braces which are braces behind the teeth. 

very interesting as i am trying to do the same.

i have mild/moderate crowding in my upper jaw due to a narrow palate (i still have all of my premolars, so no extraction). my goal is to expand the palate and then see whether my teeth align naturally through mewing over time. if not i will buy braces, maybe lingual, maybe ceramic depending how long the treatment would last.

i also have an overjet of 6,5 mm and a mild/moderate overbite. so it would be interesting to see if i can also achieve a forward movement of my mandible with a wider upper jaw palate.

yeah nice. What device are you going to use to expand the palate?

Homeoblock is great. I am sure there are many other semi rapid expanders out there. I am also using the jawzercize as I read that is good to use in conjunction with my device as it will help the teeth settle quicker in there new position. Was a bit skeptical but has sped up the process.

I want to see what is possible in a month on the homeobloc. They recommed one screw per week.- I am going to attempt 3 screws a day. If my teeth are too sore I will reduce. I have just started 3 days ago and have turned it 9 times. My teeth are moving already and i can feels my palate expanding. 

Ill keep you posted with my progress

the doc where i am planning to go uses the biobloc for the upper jaw and the lip bumper on the lower jaw. 

wow, are you sure about 3 screws a day? according to mew, the preferred method is an expansion of 1 mm a week since expanding too fast may damage your teeth. i would personally stick to that. i believe in slow and steady progress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtzHjF6qP8Y

do you have any crowding in your upper jaw? 

haha yeah i know its pretty extreme. Thats what homeoblock recommend also once a week. 

I am basing it on how my teeth and palate feel after expansion. If my teeth or palate feel to sore I will reduce the frequency but after the first 3 days lots of progress and only a tiny bit of teeth pain.

good luck with the biobloc 

haha ok thanks!

good luck with your DIY approach and please report back 🙂

Hi @Gold25 , I am really curious which clinic you went to. How often do you have to go for a check up? Thanks!

Posted by: Cassius

 

 

@cassius I’m so confused.  Your IMW looks decent from that mold.  This is pretty gutsy and I am inspired.  However...what makes you think you need widening? How did you make that mold???  Where did you buy this?  Are all these photos ones you took?

@gold25

Hey can you tell me the clinic's name?

@atlosas

https://www.lumident.kiev.ua/en

@gold25

Only 500 aud for a homeoblock ? wow....Can you also maintain the correct tongue position using that appliance?

Have you developed a midline diastema/do you think you have managed to split the suture?

@notfunnydidntlaugh

Yes i can conciously place my tongue up against the acrylic plate if i want to. If i am not wearing it i always conciously place my tongue on my palate at all times. 

@kilroy

I forgot all about this device. At the moment i have two weeks off and i am going to see what is possible in regards to how much expansion i can achieve.

I tried 4 screws a day but it was too much. Im currently on 3 turns a day and it feels comfortable. I am wearing it all day and while i sleep. Currently on day 3.

This device is amazing! I can already feel my palate expanding and teeth beginning to move. I took a photo of day 1 so i can compare after two weeks 👍if its impressive at the end ill post 

@gold25 Damn you are lucky. Where I live they charge $6,000+ for a homeoblock. Good luck with your treatment brother

Since I'm also interested in Homeoblock treatment in Europe, I just contacted the clinic you mentioned (Lumi-Dent in Ukraine) regarding homeoblock treatment (it wasn't listed on their site, so I contacted via chat), this was their response:

"Unfortunately, we no longer use this device in adult patients, as this will cause a large number of complications.
We can offer you treatment with the help of a system of braces or eliners.
Of the complications: loss of bone mass, dislocation of the articular discs,
displacement of the lower jaw back, muscle pain, which will complicate the problem of apnea.
We do not recommend this unit for patients with apnea.
Relapse occurs in 100% of cases. The device is effective only for children."

Seems a bit unsettling...

How is your treatment going @gold25 ?

Posted by: @danksch

Since I'm also interested in Homeoblock treatment in Europe, I just contacted the clinic you mentioned (Lumi-Dent in Ukraine) regarding homeoblock treatment (it wasn't listed on their site, so I contacted via chat), this was their response:

 

"Unfortunately, we no longer use this device in adult patients, as this will cause a large number of complications.
We can offer you treatment with the help of a system of braces or eliners.
Of the complications: loss of bone mass, dislocation of the articular discs,
displacement of the lower jaw back, muscle pain, which will complicate the problem of apnea.
We do not recommend this unit for patients with apnea.
Relapse occurs in 100% of cases. The device is effective only for children."

 

Seems a bit unsettling...

How is your treatment going @gold25 ?

Treatments are really hit-or-miss in Eastern Europe. What this tells me is someone saw an idea, or "Sergey" had one done in the US and a lot oof success, and someone at the clinic said: "I can do that!", but they were too cheap to get instruction from Dr. Belfor. At least they are not pitching it to you, which indicates to me they were completely unable to manage the treatment. 

I've had dental work done in Eastern Europe. I wouldn't even consider it again unless it was a western dentist with a good reputation or it was an Armenian who spoke fluent English. This is serious work for craftsmen, and the Soviet education system is still echoing throughout the dental industry there. 

@keengo  I think this is what you are looking for...  https://www.bracesshop.com/en/palatal-expanders/

@liekedutch  Lumident in Kiev, Ukraine.   You can also one and expand it yourself at home. Until you can fit your entire tongue on the roof of your mouth.    https://www.bracesshop.com/en/palatal-expanders/

@notfunnydidntlaugh  My palate is too narrow to begin with so I have never been able to keep my entire tongue on the roof of my mouth. But yes, I keep my tongue pressing up against the mold, teeth together and lips gently together. 

@kilroyDo I have a gap between my central incisors? No, but I didnt use my device for a couple years. I have only started wearing in last 2 months and am seeing great expansion. So far I have only felt the expansion in my palate and no teeth movement. I believe the teeth will shift into the correct position right at the end.

The homeoblock has a different shape to the traditional RME and as a result believe I wont develop a gap. Just my personal opinion but I will wait and see.  

@mewem143  Yeah its bullshit, this may be a good alternative for you.  https://www.bracesshop.com/en/palatal-expanders/

@danksch It was a great clinic and great experience. They no longer offer it because he told me personally the thing he doesnt like is that its up to the patient to adjust the device and make the progress. Some may get lazy and therefore not get a good result. Also it makes it even harder if a foreigner flys in and out and once again he cant control the result. Thats why they stopped offering the device. 

Personally, its a brilliant device. Unfortunately I misplaced it and didnt use it for 2 years, but within the last 2 months Im wearing 90% of day and night and expanding my palate. Easily expanding 1mm a day. Feels great no pain. I can only feel my palate expand and more room for my tongue, no effect on the teeth yet because I havent expanded it enough. The teeth will shift in time once my palate has been expanded optimally.

My goal? to fit my entire tongue on the roof of my mouth. I am also hoping to have what mew refers to caveman wide dental arches which he said on average had an intermolar width of high 40s to low 50s. With the progress I am making on a daily basis I cant see why that wouldnt be possible for me. 

Here is an alternative for you 

https://www.bracesshop.com/en/palatal-expanders/

@skinny7   As per my reply to  @danksch   I actually really rated the clinic. It was very clean, professional and did a great job. As with all clinics yeah I agree you have to do your research, but dental tourism is a huge business and a very good idea to save lots of money and have a holiday at the same time. I have seen lots of scare campaigns from western doctors advising people not to get their dental work done in another country because It makes them lose business. Yes in some cases there can be poorly done work but once again gotta do your research. Good luck