The modified stretching plate is a very interesting device. It really caught my eye when I was browsing the bracesshop site. Your plan is to use it to push your face forward? Just be careful not to create maxillary protrusion. This is what that looks like:

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It happens when the teeth flare out too much which can sometimes happen when they get pushed forward and the facial bones don't follow. But since the device you have pushes from all the way in the back near the molars there is a chance that might not happen. I'm very interested to see what results you get, definitely keep us updated.

As for the acrylic, what happens is that as the palate expands, some people notice that it gets less vaulted (not sure how though). When this happens the device begins getting pushed down and fitting lower on the teeth. This is the point where people start sanding things down off the top. However, some users have stated that there isn't much acrylic to sand down because the metal pieces in the device are near the top, how is yours like?

Also if you don't mind me asking, when was your completed device sent out? I'm still waiting on mine to come in that was sent on Feb 20.

Posted by: Allixa

 

As for the acrylic, what happens is that as the palate expands, some people notice that it gets less vaulted (not sure how though).

I think of it like holding a piece of paper with your hands on opposite edges. Bringing the edges closer together makes the paper "vaulted" in the middle, and pulling the edges farther apart makes the middle "less vaulted." 

My completed expander was shipped Feb. 26 and arrived March 17. 

Well, I don't want to look like that picture of maxillary protrusion!  

I wanted to expand anteriorly and expand the arch. When I place my mandible where I feel it should be, I have a mild class 3. I have been in braces twice. Both times I was described as Class 2, anterior open bite.    I don't think I can expand anteriorly that much without creating too much space between my molars. I don't have braces to close the gaps.  My son's ortho uses the Fagga appliance on adults to expand anteriorly. With the space it creates, you can get 4 implants or move the back teeth forward with braces to close the gaps  My son has the removable FAGGA ( anterior growth appliance) and it expands anteriorly... I wanted to take this idea and try it on myself.  

Posted by: meme

My completed expander was shipped Feb. 26 and arrived March 17. 

Well, I don't want to look like that picture of maxillary protrusion!  

I wanted to expand anteriorly and expand the arch. When I place my mandible where I feel it should be, I have a mild class 3. I have been in braces twice. Both times I was described as Class 2, anterior open bite.    I don't think I can expand anteriorly that much without creating too much space between my molars. I don't have braces to close the gaps.  My son's ortho uses the Fagga appliance on adults to expand anteriorly. With the space it creates, you can get 4 implants or move the back teeth forward with braces to close the gaps  My son has the removable FAGGA ( anterior growth appliance) and it expands anteriorly... I wanted to take this idea and try it on myself.  

That pretty much confirms my thoughts that my expander has been misplaced by the shipper. Thanks for the info.

Through all your mewing and chewing, you haven't seen any forward growth?

Posted by: Apollo

Posted by: Allixa

 

As for the acrylic, what happens is that as the palate expands, some people notice that it gets less vaulted (not sure how though).

I think of it like holding a piece of paper with your hands on opposite edges. Bringing the edges closer together makes the paper "vaulted" in the middle, and pulling the edges farther apart makes the middle "less vaulted." 

 Wouldn't that imply tipping instead of true expansion though? If the expansion was really happening completely at the suture, would there still be a change in the height of the palate?

Posted by: Allixa

 

 Wouldn't that imply tipping instead of true expansion though? If the expansion was really happening completely at the suture, would there still be a change in the height of the palate?

If there is no bone remodeling and the growth is entirely based on the separation of the midpalatal suture, then the height of the alveolar ridge "walls" would remain consistent, but the width of the "ceiling" would increase, so it still becomes less "vaulted" in proportion. However, since we find the that the expander becomes displaced through expansion, I suspect in reality, the "walls" kind of angle out through bone remodeling bringing the "ceiling" down like pulling the edges apart in my paper analogy. I think this is different than the teeth tipping since it's changing the shape of the alveolar ridge bone rather than the teeth shifting within the alveoli/sockets.

Posted by: Allixa

That pretty much confirms my thoughts that my expander has been misplaced by the shipper. Thanks for the info.

I hope your expander turns up soon!

If there is no bone remodeling and the growth is entirely based on the separation of the midpalatal suture, then the height of the alveolar ridge "walls" would remain consistent, but the width of the "ceiling" would increase, so it still becomes less "vaulted" in proportion. However, since we find the that the expander becomes displaced through expansion, I suspect in reality, the "walls" kind of angle out through bone remodeling bringing the "ceiling" down like pulling the edges apart in my paper analogy. I think this is different than the teeth tipping since it's changing the shape of the alveolar ridge bone rather than the teeth shifting within the alveoli/sockets.

That makes sense. So perhaps the 'walls' as we call them may tilt and move a bit, but the actual teeth do not. I think the study that we found earlier shows exactly this happening in some cases. And actually now that you bring it up, I do remember certain times when I went really heavy on chewing tough pieces of chios gum, that I noticed the actual 'walls' of my palate moving while I was chewing. So they must be mobile.

I hope your expander turns up soon!

Thanks. Haven't given up on it yet, but moving on to phase 2 now and I'll order another one if I have to. Bracesshop seems to have a monopoly on the market right now. None of the dental labs near me are even legally allowed to talk to me.

Posted by: Allixa

Thanks. Haven't given up on it yet, but moving on to phase 2 now and I'll order another one if I have to. Bracesshop seems to have a monopoly on the market right now. None of the dental labs near me are even legally allowed to talk to me.

No luck reaching the customer service? I can't imagine writing off the total cost of the expander. I have an unrelated missing parcel that was coming from England to the United States, which should have been delivered 5 days ago, and the tracking hasn't updated since it was dispatched. Maybe the weather is still causing delays. Interesting about the dental labs! I debated trying that strategy but decided it was too much effort.

Posted by: Apollo

Posted by: Allixa

Thanks. Haven't given up on it yet, but moving on to phase 2 now and I'll order another one if I have to. Bracesshop seems to have a monopoly on the market right now. None of the dental labs near me are even legally allowed to talk to me.

No luck reaching the customer service? I can't imagine writing off the total cost of the expander. I have an unrelated missing parcel that was coming from England to the United States, which should have been delivered 5 days ago, and the tracking hasn't updated since it was dispatched. Maybe the weather is still causing delays. Interesting about the dental labs! I debated trying that strategy but decided it was too much effort.

Yeah the dental labs around here, and perhaps everywhere have to be really careful about liability. I contacted one near me and they told me if I wanted their products I had to go through a dental professional near me, but they weren't even able to tell me who I could visit that worked with them. Everything is locked down legally, it's very frustrating but I understand why they do it.

As far as reaching bracesshop, nothing yet. I've emailed twice, used the contact form on their site, and even ordered a cheap item on their site so I could ask my question in the comment box of the order form. I've also called and emailed DHL. Haven't heard anything back yet. Last resort is to hire someone in Germany to call the phone number, and there is a guy I am talking to about that now, but what I have realized is that the people who run the online part of the bracesshop seem to just be web development entrepreneurs and not the actual dental lab team, so I don't know if the phone number is valuable. Anyways, if there is a way to reach them, I will be the one that finds it. I'm very determined to get the expander.

As for writing off the cost, it's not that I want to, but that I am prepared to as long as it means getting something in hand. The fact that there were storms and delays like you allude to gives me some slight hope, but without a tracking number it's more like wishful thinking.

What exactly is the difference between the modified stretch plated and the Y plate that most people seem to be getting? I see more screw, are those for more control? What can they achieve?

@Allixa,

Did you end up receiving the expander/ getting through to BracesShop or DHL? I am considering ordering from them but I would not want to pay and never have it shipped... 

If you ask the lab, they can put wax in the bottom of your mold (top of maxilla).  Flaring teeth as shown in the photo above is easy to do & hard to correct.

Photos?  Y gives serious forward motion.  I fully expect that when the Y portion is activates matters.  It will offer different manipulation per the timing.  Ex.... maxilla could get pushed back depending.

Posted by: Allixa

Posted by: Apollo

Posted by: Allixa

Thanks. Haven't given up on it yet, but moving on to phase 2 now and I'll order another one if I have to. Bracesshop seems to have a monopoly on the market right now. None of the dental labs near me are even legally allowed to talk to me.

No luck reaching the customer service? I can't imagine writing off the total cost of the expander. I have an unrelated missing parcel that was coming from England to the United States, which should have been delivered 5 days ago, and the tracking hasn't updated since it was dispatched. Maybe the weather is still causing delays. Interesting about the dental labs! I debated trying that strategy but decided it was too much effort.

Yeah the dental labs around here, and perhaps everywhere have to be really careful about liability. I contacted one near me and they told me if I wanted their products I had to go through a dental professional near me, but they weren't even able to tell me who I could visit that worked with them. Everything is locked down legally, it's very frustrating but I understand why they do it.

As far as reaching bracesshop, nothing yet. I've emailed twice, used the contact form on their site, and even ordered a cheap item on their site so I could ask my question in the comment box of the order form. I've also called and emailed DHL. Haven't heard anything back yet. Last resort is to hire someone in Germany to call the phone number, and there is a guy I am talking to about that now, but what I have realized is that the people who run the online part of the bracesshop seem to just be web development entrepreneurs and not the actual dental lab team, so I don't know if the phone number is valuable. Anyways, if there is a way to reach them, I will be the one that finds it. I'm very determined to get the expander.

As for writing off the cost, it's not that I want to, but that I am prepared to as long as it means getting something in hand. The fact that there were storms and delays like you allude to gives me some slight hope, but without a tracking number it's more like wishful thinking.

Orthotech.net is a small shop but will take any dentist order with either a mold or iTerro scan.  They are eager to please and have some really cool stuff!  Will put wax in bottom for the palate to drop.  :-)