Orthodontia question - palatal expander

[onyx8]

I had one of these when I was about 11 years old. I would crank it myself everynight. It wasn't painful so much as just a strange feeling of pressure. When I first got it in and when the Ortho would tighten it, then it would be a little painful, Advil did the trick.

Took a couple days to get used to talking with it in there!

 

[Marilyn Mc]

I had one. It took me a few days to talk properly. It never really hurt. I just felt pressure in my nose area when my mom turned the "key".

 

[SillyMe]

DD14 had one before she got her braces on. She did have trouble talking and eating at first until she got used to it, but she said it wasn't painful when I turned the key.

Her expander was cemented onto her teeth (some of which were still baby molars). When they removed the expander, it literally pulled 3 of her baby molars out along with the expander. She just about hit the roof. I felt so bad for her, I cried. That was horrible.

 

[AtlantaSue]

My 8 year old just got hers removed yesterday - she didn't have any pain or bleeding at all. Overall, our whole experience wasn't bad, either. Lots of slurping in the beginning, but she never really complained. I made my husband deal with the key thing at night, though! Good luck to you!

 

[jlaspoq]

My 8 year old just got hers removed yesterday - she didn't have any pain or bleeding at all. Overall, our whole experience wasn't bad, either. Lots of slurping in the beginning, but she never really complained. I made my husband deal with the key thing at night, though! Good luck to you!

Yep, so far the plan is for that to be Daddy's job! But my mom or dad is going to have to do it for a week..... I'm guessing that will be Gramps.

She is really talking funny - but taking it with great good humor. She was trying to say "middleman" for some reason, and it went through several iterations before she got it out!

I'm very proud of her. Eating was a challenge tonight - took three times as long because she was trying to unstick everything after every bite!!!! Guess we really are going to have to start carrying that travel toothbrush around.