I had a few questions about expansion and jaw growth. I am only expanding the upper and the chin is just naturally coming forward. It is working very well.
When smiling I notice that I am now physically unable to smile as big as I used to. My gums are now barely showing...my face feels different when I smile now...I don't know how to explain it but it is a great thing! :)
When I speak and eat my jaw no longer pops. I can speak more clearly and feel a noticeable difference in the amount of room my tongue has. I can breathe very well through my nose now. I am VERY happy with the results! Still expanding at least for 5 more weeks. My dentist is keeping an eye on things and I will have another update at the end of September.
Hi Christie,
ReplyDeleteI have to say you really look great!
You are looking like you are in your 20's.
What has the reaction of your friends and family to the changes to your appearance?
Thanks,
Ken
Thank you Ken! My family is very happy with the results so far. I have not mentioned this to anyone else. I do get more comments about my hair and stuff lol. I think it happens so gradually people are not sure what has changed :)
ReplyDeleteYou look great Christie! I have the same problem as you and i am wondering if your dentist could help me too.I live in sweden.
ReplyDeleteSå he treated only the upper jaw and only with one appliance? how many times did he adjusted your appliance. Do you think he can help me.
Thank you! I am not sure what he can do long distance. I have an appointment coming up next week so I will ask him then and get back to you!
DeleteSounds like he can help you. Just go to the link under my dentist on this page and you can contact him :)
DeleteHi Christine, I meant ask my questions sooner. Here are the questions I still have after looking at your posts and comments:
ReplyDelete-To get a better sense of the cost: Approximately how much does the appliance cost (if you don't mind answering!!)? Did insurance cover your appliance or any of the visits? How often do you visit the dentist for DNA followup?
-From your posts I gather you only used the upper appliance, is that correct? Has the appliance ever needed to be replaced, for example do you graduate to a different appliance? In other blogs I've noticed the appliance gets sent away for service, did you experience this?
-Do you wear the appliance at night only? If it's for longer periods of time, do you wear during the day as well?
-I noticed the 6 mm expansion estimate in your first post is now 9 mm, did your Dr. decide to keep expanding as he went along?
-Finally, when you've completed the expansion, will you have to continue to wear some sort of retainer, to prevent the expansion from reversing?
Apologies for my barrage of questions. Your results look fantastic. I've been dealing with some of the issues you've mention in addition to other problems. I really appreciate your posts. They are very helpful for those considering this route. Thanks!!!
$3500 for appliance therapy - DNA
DeleteI visit the dentist every 4 - 6 weeks
I am only using the upper appliance
To date the appliance has not had any adjustments
I wear the appliance from 8pm - 8am ...in the beginning I was wearing it from 6pm - 9am...I would like to go back to this as summer is coming to an end and I will be indoors more
I will need to wear a retainer...I am not sure of all the details but I will ask about this at my next appointment
Thanks you!
DeleteHi Christie, I would love to hear about your previous jaw popping as that is what I deal with. I have had it for about 3-4 years and whenever I open to a certain length or chew it pops. My jaw deviates a bit to the left also. Is this similar to your situation. If so, this appliance completely got rid of it? My dentist is recommending this and its very expensive so I want to make sure it will cure my problem which is the reason I am getting it (only for the popping). Thanks for any advice!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteWhat you are describing is near exactly what I had...when I chewed and opened wide my jaw would pop. The jaw popping stopped within the first few months...it was very fast for me. My ears opened up right away too...I didn't even realize they were "plugged". I wish you much success on your journey! If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Wow, someone has the same symptoms finally! :) I have been freaking out for months because mine have been present for a few years but recently started noticing my jaw would move a bit to the left when opening my mouth. Did you have those symptoms as well, like it would have a little catch or something? Also, did you get this appliance specifically for TMJ? I was hesitant when the dentist encouraged this, because I had only seen it used for sleep apnea and all other blogs/forums for TMJ popping talk of splints to reposition the jaw. Does this in fact reposition your jaw to a different spot? AND 1 more thing :) Did you have MRI's before this was done? I have one schedules for Monday to check everything out and am scared to death of the results :( however I still have no pain, ever. Weird. Thanks again, and you look GREAT!
ReplyDeleteP.S.-Could you email me, so I could chat with you about this a bit more. I am seriously considering trying this now! :)
ReplyDeletekatediane01@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteI would always suggest insisting that the certified provider that you see sends your case through the diagnostic service for the DNA appliance. Dr Singh the inventor of the DNA appliance reviews all of the cases personally and he will make suggestions to the certified provider with treatment planning and appliance design. Getting the diagnosis correct is the most important step in DNA appliance therapy. The certified provider can then take the opinion into consideration when he/she is doing the work up. The second most important is compliance to the treatment plan and wear time.
As for the scan you should get, a Conebeam CT is industry standard, you can get that in a dental office. The Conebeam should be part of the assets that are sent to the diagnostic service. It will be a detailed scan from your cranial base to your hyoid bone in the neck.
Another great resource is the publications page which has all of the peer reviewed articles that Dr Singh has published concerning the DNA appliance and related subjects. 68 articles and counting, he published 6 in the last year. Specifically one on TMD and migraine headaches.
I hope this helps you.
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI had the a 3D scan/xray...probably the conebeam that Ken is talking about. I am sorry I do not know the technical name :) I got this done to correct a pinched airway (I could barely close my mouth and I had a ton of trouble breathing through my nose, neck discomfort and cosmetic reasons. I believe this works because it widens your palate so the jaw can move into it correct position. I will let Ken speak more to that if he would like as I do not know the ins and outs but I do know this has made a world of difference for me! I didn't even realize how uncomfortable I was.
Thanks for the info Cristie...the dentist I went to actually does lectures and training along with Dr. Singh. Unfortunately she was not to thorough which seems crazy right? She basically took molds of my teeth and did the jaw tracking etc and had me stand up straight and took another mold of my teeth. That was it. I personally asked for a MRI which I received and she never called me to explain the results. I feel as though the appliance might be the right thing for me, but she may not be the right dentist for me :) I will definitely check out some more options when it comes to providers. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteChristie, what does the 3500 include? Consultation, scans, impressions?
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie,
DeleteSorry for the delay. I just went to my dentist today and asked him about this. That was all inclusive for my treatment. He stated that price varies per case due to his time commitment for different aged patients and different needs.