Lower Expander broken? (pics included)

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BrandonH
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Warren, AR

Lower Expander broken? (pics included)

#1 Post by BrandonH »

I don't know what you call this particular appliance, but I Think it's broken.

The ortho put it on yesterday. This morning, when my wife went to turn it, it really didn't want to turn.

Later in the day, I could feel that the wire was broken.

Anyone ever have this happen? I fear that we'll have to take this off, get a new one made, and installed in a few weeks. . . . kinda sucks, but I'm sure this sort of thing happens.

Here is a pic.


Image

Clo
Posts: 969
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:05 am
Location: Belgium
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#2 Post by Clo »

Hi,

no expert here but I think it was built that way. The bars that are connected
to the screw and are closest to your tongue do the expanding. The other ones
just guide the teeth. I have seen this before, but then the guiding bars were
about symmetrical. But I can imagine that they can be unsymmetrical too, like
in your case. It (right part on the pic) can sweep open and bring your lower front
teeth a bit forward. Just guessing here. But I think it was meant to be like that.
Are you sure your wife turned it in the right direction and hard enough ?

eggraid101
Posts: 86
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:39 am
Location: Leesburg, VA

#3 Post by eggraid101 »

In order for the expander to "expand" that wire cannot be continuous all the way across, so it should be "broken" somewhere. I would ask your Orthodontist about it!
Russell Mullen, DDS MS
Leesburg, VA

Remember: your orthodontist knows your dental history and orthodontic condition best. I can guide you toward better orthodontic information than if you were left on your own and hopefully in doing so play a small part in your quest to achieve a beautiful, fully functional smile, but you should consider your orthodontist the best source of information.

http://www.mullenortho.com

BrandonH
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Warren, AR

#4 Post by BrandonH »

the doc said it wasn't broken. . . . . just me being paranoid.

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