My jaw surgery journey has begun
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My jaw surgery journey has begun
Hi I'm new to the group and just wanted to see if anyone else is in the same boat. I'm a 34 year old guy in the UK I have been suffering with tmj issues for around 18 months been to several different doctors and specialists and had splint therapy, physio, soft food diets, and much more but nothing is helping so I will be have surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (sarpe) for short I have just had elastic spacers fitted and will have my expander fitted on the 8th of March has anyone had an expander I'm not sure what to expect. Thanks any help or advice would be much appreciated
Re: My jaw surgery journey has begun
Hi!
I had Sarpe in march 2017, did the turns for about a week/10 days and 6 months later it was removed.
The surgery and post op wasn't so bad. My face was completely swollen and bruised, had 2 black eyes and eating was difficult the first days. I ate a lot of soft foods, but you are still able to chew, however you have to be a bit more carefull.
The first few days you have to get used to the expander and talking can be a bit weird but you'll get used to it pretty quick. I had a slight lisp afterwards but that got a 100% better in the weeks after.
Painwise, hardly any pain and manageable with light painkillers.
Turning the expander, you feel some pressure and a burning sensation in the roof of your mouth/gums, and it's not the most comfy feeling in the world but not that bad either. The first turns I didn't feel anything but I did find it more 'painfull' doing the last turns.
The most painfull part for me was when they block the expander after you're done with the turns.
I had an 8 mm gap, which is noticable for other people. But I never had any questions or comments about it.
The gap closed after about 4 months (with help from ortho, it didn't close on his own).
I didn't have TMJ issues, for me this surgery was about getting my teeth straight. So I cannot tell you about the benefits for TMJ issues.
To be honest: for me this surgery was an easy one, and I'm a very sensitive to pain/blood. I faint when I cut my finger
Tips;
Ice!
Soft foods (yoghurts, pasta)
Waterpik (if the surgeon approves), I found this to be ideal to clean around the expander on a low setting.
Baby toothbrush for cleaning the expander.
Take a painkiller 20 minutes before turning (if you found this to be to painfull)
I had Sarpe in march 2017, did the turns for about a week/10 days and 6 months later it was removed.
The surgery and post op wasn't so bad. My face was completely swollen and bruised, had 2 black eyes and eating was difficult the first days. I ate a lot of soft foods, but you are still able to chew, however you have to be a bit more carefull.
The first few days you have to get used to the expander and talking can be a bit weird but you'll get used to it pretty quick. I had a slight lisp afterwards but that got a 100% better in the weeks after.
Painwise, hardly any pain and manageable with light painkillers.
Turning the expander, you feel some pressure and a burning sensation in the roof of your mouth/gums, and it's not the most comfy feeling in the world but not that bad either. The first turns I didn't feel anything but I did find it more 'painfull' doing the last turns.
The most painfull part for me was when they block the expander after you're done with the turns.
I had an 8 mm gap, which is noticable for other people. But I never had any questions or comments about it.
The gap closed after about 4 months (with help from ortho, it didn't close on his own).
I didn't have TMJ issues, for me this surgery was about getting my teeth straight. So I cannot tell you about the benefits for TMJ issues.
To be honest: for me this surgery was an easy one, and I'm a very sensitive to pain/blood. I faint when I cut my finger
Tips;
Ice!
Soft foods (yoghurts, pasta)
Waterpik (if the surgeon approves), I found this to be ideal to clean around the expander on a low setting.
Baby toothbrush for cleaning the expander.
Take a painkiller 20 minutes before turning (if you found this to be to painfull)
Re: My jaw surgery journey has begun
Thank you for the feedback I'm just glad things are finally happening! Im told it will sort out my tmj pain which is the main goal and being able to chew properly is a bonus. Thanks for the tips I'm sure chef so eating is a big part of my life so a little apprehensive about the expander thanks again