Please look at my pics, I need opinions... Invisalign + expander???

[rover1234]

As you can see, there is some crowding on my right side (but since it's a photo it shows on the left side.)

2 orthos that I consulted both agree that I would benefit from a moderate degree of upper arch expansion.

I am 23 and in grad school and prefer to not have traintracks. I prefer Invisalign.


One orthodontist wants to put me in ceramic braces for "a little under a year" and use a palatal expander to gain as much space as possible. He thinks Invisalign could work but that he would get more expansion with metal braces.

The other said he could get some nice expansion with Invisalign, as he's very good with it, and could even try using an expander BEFORE starting the Invisalign. I've never heard of an expander that didn't have to be attached to metal braces-- anyone familiar with this?

Both are board certified and seem trustworthy.

Please let me know your thoughts. I look forward to contributing in the future.

[stephen1346]

all i'll say is i'd die for the teeth you have their , why do you feel the need to get them fixed?

[havingitdoneintheuk]

Crikey I thought that was an 'after' pic!

[Sunny]

Wow ... incredible from the photo you've included, that any ortho would want to do any work.

At 23 I think your jaw bones would have been fused for a few years, so there's no way your palate can be expanded unless you were to have surgery to break it first. An expander is sometimes used with adults to push the teeth out further in the jaw bone, but your teeth don't look like that would be needed. Of course your photo may not be showing the real situation.

Good luck with your decision.

[emmie]

even though they look good I understand that there may be things that bother you when you look in the mirror. People ask me often why i got braces because to them i had a "great" smile, but my crowding drove me nuts! Do what you need to do to make YOU happy

[gap]

My ortho has done a great job of expanding my upper arch using Invisalign. I have posted several progress pics on my blog that show the expansion.

My upper arch was VERY narrow when I began treatment.

Good luck with your choice.

[chaudi]

you got to be kidding me, spend the 5k on a vacation instead.
Invisagn are a pain in the ass and can cause more problems, if you don't need them why bother.

[anniedooday12]

It is possible to expand after you are an adult but it is not always as easy. I am 34 and am using an expander, they installed it using screws into the jaw bone instead of bands around the teeth. that way all the force is on the jaw not the teeth. Mine are starting to expand and I now have a gap inbetween my two front teeth. My problem is the appliance is starting to dig into the roof of my mouth and it is excruciating, I go in tomorrow to find out what they can do about it. Also my chiropractor said that the bones in our heads never fully fuse together.

[jamesheyds]

i agree with some of the other posts.....man you teeth look fine to me.

[EdZed]

Yep. Don't bother would be my advice. Who looks that far back into your mouth anyhow??

My Invisalign Blog (with week 14 pictures)

[Stellina]

I would go for a vacation with the money if my teeth were like that.. Although my teeth weren't that crooked and still I wanted Invisalign to correct the front upper teeth and one shifted lower.. So I think it does depend on how you feel about them.. I would guess the expander is the only way for your teeth to make space for one another? No alternative solutions? I would consider timeframe and prices the orthos want to charge you and then decide..
Good luck with whatever you decide!!

[sarah85]

I'd actually pay for some teeth whitening. White teeth look a million times better than nice straight gritty teeth. If you still dont see a difference with lovely white teeth, then I'd consider braces/invisalign. Honestly, your teeth look great BUT you have not included any photos on your jaw or bite. Your teeth just might stick out really far for all I can tell! You might have no chin when you close your mouth or something - I really dont know. More photos needed. But yeah, try some teeth whitening and see how you go?