They are definitely very similar in design.

I got a y-plate in from bracesshop recently and they have improved it a bit from the photo. There's now a screw for each side of the expander, so that you can expand the left or right side independent of the other. It's not apparent on the photo either and I might have just gotten lucky, but the metal piece in the expander sits VERY low on mine so that there's tons of room for me to file down the acrylic as I expand. It looks higher up on the DNA appliance.

The two huge differences I see are the ones you already pointed out - the acrylic on the teeth  and the strange metal behind the front teeth. You're right that the acrylic on the teeth might prevent tipping but it would also keep your teeth from naturally adjusting as you expand. It's like a prison for your teeth. Plus it would be annoying trying to sleep without being able to close your mouth fully.

That stuff behind the front teeth is strange too. Their marketing says that it helps stimulate the genes to straighten the teeth out but I think that's all BS. I think it's just a marketing gimmick that allows them to patent and charge a crazy price for the product. I heard it costs 8000 dollars or something like that.

I'm very happy with the bracesshop product btw. The shipment aspect of the order was iffy (no tracking number) but it fits perfectly and is a good product. I'll make a thread about it soon probably.

Yes, based on one reviewer the total cost of the treatment was $8,000. In addition, to the expanders this cost includes monthly doctor visits and Invisialign treatment to line up the teeth at the end.  So there is no way to tell the exact cost of the expanders except that in one blog entry the reviewer mentions having to pay $750 to replace a lost lower expander.

https://epiorthodontics.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-do-as-i-did-do-as-i-say.html

That's overpriced.

Yeah it's definitely overpriced. Better option is to do bracesshop + smile direct club at the end if needed.

BTW I just noticed another difference. The bracesshop yplate expands the canine teeth as well but the DNA appliance just hits the premolars and molars. That might actually be a point in favor of the DNA design.. you should read the thread by @apollo on his expansion routine to see what I mean

Posted by: Allixa

Yeah it's definitely overpriced. Better option is to do bracesshop + smile direct club at the end if needed.

BTW I just noticed another difference. The bracesshop yplate expands the canine teeth as well but the DNA appliance just hits the premolars and molars. That might actually be a point in favor of the DNA design.. you should read the thread by @apollo on his expansion routine to see what I mean

which part? that thread is almost 100 posts

Posted by: abdul

Posted by: Allixa

Yeah it's definitely overpriced. Better option is to do bracesshop + smile direct club at the end if needed.

BTW I just noticed another difference. The bracesshop yplate expands the canine teeth as well but the DNA appliance just hits the premolars and molars. That might actually be a point in favor of the DNA design.. you should read the thread by @apollo on his expansion routine to see what I mean

which part? that thread is almost 100 posts

Here is the discussion about how the y-plate expander would expand the intercanine width in the same way as the regular schwarz-style expander: /community/community/main-forum/palate-expansion-update-1/#post-1524

I posted it in TGW's thread on his expander progress and adjustments. I suppose the acrylic behind the canines on the y-plate could be filed off, but this can also be done on the basic expander.

I know the thread logging my progress has become cluttered, but it's mostly for my own benefit, to keep track of what I'm doing and how it's working.

Thanks. I placed my comment on that thread.