one side expanded further

[CherylRobbins]

I have been a reader of this website for 3 years, but have never posted. Until now.

I will try and keep as short as possible. B/c of very narrow upper and lower arch, I was in spring loaded expanders. Upper for 2 yrs and lower for 1. Since last year, i've noticed that the right side of my arch expanded out more than the left side. It's quite noticeable, especially in pictures, which is why i didn't necessarily bring to orthos attention as I was sure he'd seen and since i wasn't done with treatment, I just went with the flow.

He has since said that wonder phrase "i think we are almost done." When i brought to his attention that something didn't look right, he went through all my progress pics and sure enough, it was very noticeable very early on, that the right side of my teeth was responding to the expander better than my left. I asked if there was anything we can do to fix and he said he didnt know, that he would study my pics and we'll talk at my desk appt in 3 wks.

quite franky, i feel that he should have noticed before now and without me having to bring to his attention. Of course, I should have brought to his attention before now, but I thought it would be fixed in ongoing treatment. I'm a little freaked out that he won't be able to do anything.

Anyone have something like this happen to them and how was it fixed?

[ArchWired28]

CherylRobbins

how old are you? If over 25, I doubt the expanders have produced a true bone expansion. Most likely it was just dental tipping and in that case, it could be easily corrected orthodontically.
If it was indeed a true bony expansion, than it becomes more complicated. They might not be able to shrink the bone back, but they could mask it, to a certain extent, with the dental tipping.
Just of curiosity, do you have crossbite? How are your teeth coming together, i.e. is the bite good?

[ArchWired28]

I wonder, if you could post some pics of yourself before and after. I have great interest in this topic as well, due to someone who had SARPE and ended up with an asymmetrical expansion.

[CherylRobbins]

I would love to post pics, but I do not know how. I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to post pics/attachments. . .

[ArchWired28]

Probably not, since you don't have 7 messages yet. Anyway, it would be very interesting to see how it plays out. I hope they can resolve your issues fully, since I would have deen devastated to end up with asymmetrical arches
Just FYI, looks like there is not much they can do in case of an asymmetrical SARPE. But since you only had an expander... How old are you?

[CherylRobbins]

I am 31.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that it can be fixed or at least improved. Its very noticeable and not very flattering!
I will post an update when I find out more.

[ArchWired28]

It is very likely that at 31, all you get non-surgically is dental flaring or tipping. In that case, they can constrict one side with a powerchain or something else... Of course it means several extra months in braces. I keep my fingers crossed for you!

P.S. By the way, it sounds like good news to me that your ortho responded like he did. Since if there was nothing he could have done, he would have probably told you. So maybe he is just figuring out should he expand or constrict? I hope everything goes well!

[CherylRobbins]

thanks.
i've already been in for 3 years so a lil longer will be a piece of pie. I'm going to remain optimistic.

[ArchWired28]

Just curious, have you seen a lot of expansion? Could you tell in mm's? I have seen case studies on the website of one well-known self-ligating braces make, when people gained 9mm of posterior space in adults with braces only! WoW! I wish I could gain that much...
But usually, there results are not typical. I have read that, despite each case is different, anything over 5mm is considered non-achievable in adults, unless they use SARPE.