Question from one of the readers, I thought I would address it here so that people with similar questions are answered.
“Hello!
I wanted to let you know that I read your blog from top to bottom. It has been a great source of information, encouragement, and inspiration. I am also someone who has been struggling with the effects of extraction orthodontics. I have so much to ask you and will do so when time allows… But for now I was wondering if you could tell me the overall cost of your orthodontic treatment, as well as the breakdown of what each appliance cost you (biobloc, top and bottom expanders (i think you had 2 different types),braces ,other fees etc.)?
Also while I would surely benefit from lateral (side to side) expansion, I’m really hoping to achieve forward expansion to help regain lip support. Does the biobloc accomplish this? If so, how? I ask because bioblock doesn’t have a screw in the front for forward expansion of the anterior teeth, right? I’m assuming the “springs attachments” may help with this.. Do the springs push the front teeth forward or expand the whole jaw forward? I’m just trying to figure out… Is biobloc is enough for forward expansion or is it better to opt for an appliance that includes a screw specifically for anterior / forward expansion???
Anyway, thanks so much for your time. When you get a chance, please post updated progress pics on your blog. I know you are in the final stages of treatment and I can’t wait to see the end result.
Congrats on your current progress. Wishing you all the best!”
Overall cost of my treatment as follows:
Whole treatment plan to reverse extraction orthodontics $5.3K (divided over 24 months, so that’s $220 a month)
Which includes: Step 1. Biobloc expanding appliance Top & Bottom, Step 2. self ligating braces similar to DAMON (but different brand so it is way cheaper)
But I got the Acceledent which was another $1K
Is Acceledent working? Not sure if it has great impact on palate expansion at the suture but when moving teeth, in my case, using springs to re-open extraction spaces and getting into braces to realign teeth, the Acceledent has doubled my monthly progress rate. Also some people deal with root absorption issues, which Acceledent is suppose to combat.
This was also split in 24 months payments, so currently I am paying $275 a month to my orthodontic treatment.
Does Biobloc achieve forward expansion? & Why it’s better than DNA appliance?
Yes Biobloc achieves forward expansion, the metallic attachment you see in the front of the biobloc is a springy metal wire that the orthodontist can adjust every month that gradually pushes the teeth forward. It gently pushes on the front teeth to tip the teeth forward as well as the arch / palate will expand/develop forward to catch up with the forward moving teeth.
It is designed this way because it still gives your tongue plenty of space to rest at the roof of mouth.
The problem with an appliance like the DNA appliance is that whole front area of the palate (premaxilla) is covered with the acrylic of the appliance. This gives your tongue even less space to rest on the roof of mouth. This to me seems counter intuitive because the cause of small palate is the tongue not properly resting on the roof of mouth as children. So the root of the problem is not being addressed right away, however I believe you could probably still use it to expand and train your tongue to rest on the roof when the appliance is not in, or after one is finished with it.
So to answer your question, yes Biobloc is enough to create all the forward expansion one would need. and If I was an orthodontist and I could pick which expansion appliance I would incorporate into my practice, it would be the Biobloc.
Remember my Biobloc, unlike regular ones, was designed for re-opening extraction spaces so it had the two extra springy prongs that made contact behind my bicuspids, to gradually move them forward since they’ve been pushed back from previous extraction ortho.
This spring also kept my frontal arch (my front 6 teeth) together as I expanded the whole palate at the suture. If this wasn’t there, I would’ve had gaps all over my front 6 teeth.
Another question from different Reader.
“Hi,
Good day!
Can I ask if you have great results in reversing the damage on your face? How is it now? I am really curious what functional appliances did you use? My face retracted due to teeth extraction. I am working on getting my cheekbones back and making it more prominent again. Thank you.”
Yes I can definitely say my face has moved towards better structure and looks. Few days ago when I was getting hair cut at the barber, I noticed that my face was simply more symmetrical (better balance between the left and the right side), it is now wider after all of the expansion and I have more cheekbones, where as before it was more narrow and from the side more shallow / flat.
Yes, re-expanding the palate will give you more cheekbones, and just by expanding the palate, it will also come forward some within the cranium, which will give you better profile. better jawline.
As I mentioned above, the functional appliance I used was the Biobloc.
Regards,
CP
Cp, i was aiming for the expander and im hoping that i would not be able to get braces anymore, just the expander. however, when i saw this lady on youtube who also got an expander, i was horrified to see that her nose got a lot bigger. how did you prevent your nose to get huge?
I don’t see how the nose could get big with palate expansion.
what can create the appearance of big nose, is the maxilla dropping down, which is vertical growth of the face. Regular orthodontics create vertical growth. Which is not what you want. Always ask the orthodontist if you will be getting forward growth with treatment.
as for the lady, it is hard to say without actually seeing it.
here is the video of the woman who went for the expander then braces later on to reverse facial damage. Although, i think shes a great person for being informative and has saved lots of lives too but no matter how much i tried to look at, i cant seem to see any progress. In fact, shes more beautiful before she had the reversal compared to today. is there something that went wrong?
Here is before the reversal : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I48RzrwKuj0
After reversal (expander, braces, splint) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypEb2Z_9wac&feature=c4-overview&list=UUjnsZ1S5s51f6DuiLpS9feA
I really can’t see the “enlarged nose”. If any, her face looks much better and she does not have as much of the parrot beek or sunken in look on her face.
Besides, esthetics is also missing the point. As she herself states in a video regarding posture. She now can sit up straight and breathe through her noce. Something I also have noticed in the six months of ALF-treatment I’ve had so far. Also remember that the treatment’s not done in the video you posted. She has some way to go yet.
Don’t worry so much about the aesthetics if you have secondary issues. Get functional orthodontics done, solve the issues with breathing, TMJ and such if you have them and IF you feel as if you look worse after either talk to your orthodontist about making aesthetic changes or if that’s impossible, take a minute to think about what’s actually worth having. “A beautiful face” or a working body and energy. *hint* when you get the second, the first will follow.
Andreas – are you still working with the ALF? How is it going? I’m trying to decide between that or the DNA. Would love to know your thoughts.
There is a woman in youtube who had an expander and braces later on to reverse facial damage. She’s a great person and is really very informative but as much as i dont want to say this, she seem to look a lot better before the reversal compared to now. Whats your take on this?
Before reversal :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I48RzrwKuj0&list=TLWXLahQSYsLdpqXYIauVqQTZtnuSQlc3-
After reversal (expander, braces, split etc.) :
Personally I think she looks SO much better with the reversal, evening during the process! She looks a lot younger, not all flattened out. I didn’t get the impression that her nose was larger at all… Maybe it’s the angle, because in some videos she has the video angled upward, etc. If it helps I asked my ENT the other day if expanding the palate can change the nose (since I had your comment in mind) and he said that’s impossible, and it makes sense b/c the majority of the nose is cartilage. The only bone associated is the vomer, which is situated just below eye level, and there are no sutures in the vomer so it couldn’t widen… I’m in med. school and just from the knowledge I have of anatomy and embryology, what my ENT said made sense. So I wouldn’t worry about that I think you’re seeing something that isn’t actually there but could be an effect of video angles or lighting or something. Just my .02.