Palate expansion for adults
Added: May 29, 2009 - 8:36 PM
By: Patient Email Withheld, Washington, DC
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
Yes
X-rays Available:
Yes
Case Summary
Braces / Invisilign
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Teeth:
Last Full Mouth X-Ray: February 2009
Last Cleaning: March 2009
Case Description
I had 4 teeth removed for braces when I was young. Then 4 wisdom teeth removed. Now another first upper molar pulled. So I have only 23 teeth. I am only 40 years old and have another 40 to go. But now my tongue doesn't have enough room, my lower jaw is pulled back, people often don't understand what I say, and I look like an 80 year old. Are there any non-invasive methods to expand my palate so that my tongue can lie peacefully, my lower jaw is not imprisoned in a smaller space, my speech is normal, and my facial profile is normal? Is this as simple as wearing a custom-made appliance at night? How much does this cost?
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Reply: Palate expansion for adults
added: May 30, 2009 - 2:13 AM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Dear Patient:Adult dental expansion is certainly possible, and may be indicated if your teeth have "tipped inward". If you would like to know more, please send me an email and I will provide you with many cases of slow palatal expansion in adults using either expanders or invisible lingual braces. We can even schedule you a complementary consultation (www.kravitzorthodontics.com) In the meanwhile, this is a nice research article for your reading: http://www.angle.org/anglonline/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-3219&volume=70&page=129Sincerely,Dr. K
Reply: Palate expansion for adults
added: May 30, 2009 - 6:42 AM
Cost Estimate: $10,000+
Simply put your case is going to be a very involved one. But you are very wise to have finally realized that your teeth are wearing out before their time. You probably had retraction orthodontics as a child but that was the standard treatment at the time. Furthermore, you most likely have some TMJ (headaches, migraines, neck aches, teeth sensitivity, and accelerated wear) along with an extra complication of snoring/ and possibly sleep apnea. If your a male, you may not have pain involved just wear and a collapse of the bite. But if your female, you probably have a good amount of pain and don''''t have enough of the pouty lip look. In your adventures, no amount of lipstick can give you enough lip (female). If you''''re male, most guys grow a moustache to correct the poor lip support. I can attest that the people without retraction orthodontics and with the big mouth look are the most stable in terms of not just teeth wear but form, function, and health.Reality and time will show that no amount of maxillary advancement will ever get you back to your original position as an adolescent but you will regain about 3.0mm of space. With retraction orthodontics you lost about 6.0mm. In otherwords you will improve but not ever get back to full lip support. You must, however, do something to prevent eventual multiple loss of teeth and fractures of of teeth. Removable dentures are very common for someone in your situation in 15 more years.Good Luck and Best wishes to your quest.
Reply: Palate expansion for adults
added: May 31, 2009 - 6:05 PM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Dear Patient,I would love to help you, but w/o looking at you I can''''t give you a option about your case. If you like I will give you a free consult. Call my office and set up an orthodontic consult and bring any records you have. I am in Fairfax VA. 703-279-2400.Dr. Choe.
Reply: Palate expansion for adults
added: June 01, 2009 - 8:51 AM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
We treat a lot of patients who are in your situation successfully. We offer non-invasive, drug-free options to alleviate most of your symptoms. If you are interested to learn more please contact us at 202-363-3399 to set up a consultation visit.Thank you
Reply: Palate expansion for adults
added: June 01, 2009 - 9:06 AM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Yes, there are various methods to expand adult palates non-invasively, although I''''''''m not aware of any that work only with nighttime wear. In a case like yours, the expansion may result in spaces that would later need to be closed with Invisalign, implants, or cosmetic bridges. As for cost, simple expansion fees vary greatly, because they are often a precursor to braces. Invisalign is running around $6000 - $7000, with a small extra charge for expansion. Expansion as a stand alone service usually runs around $2800. If you have photos of your bite, I could be a lot more specific.
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