Re: New member, joined for advice about SARPE

Posted November 9, 2003 · November 9, 2003

Welcome ,

I can't help you with your specific questions because I didn't have that

procedure done. However, on the military side of the house...my husband is

active duty military also. They would not cover my braces because I'm over 23,

but I had my surgery (upper/lower) done in a military hospital and that didn't

cost me a dime. You might want to check with them for the procedure you're

thinking of having. Maybe they can give you some insight on the necessity of it

(or not).

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Smooches

New member, joined for advice about

SARPE

Hi, my name is and I am 26. I have just decided to get

braces (well, am actually finally financially able to) and have a

couple of questions. During my initial consult the ortho told me

that I would require an RPE before applying braces. So, I came home

and researched the device to find out that it is not really useful

and can do alot of damage in adults. I went back to his assistant

(he was not present that day) and told her that I had been

researching and found that using the device w/out surgery in adults

usually leads to a relapse once it is removed, tipping and bending

of the jaw bones, multiple periodontal problems etc. I had a list

that day, but not now. Anyways the reply I got back was that for

any subject researched you will find tons of info both supporting

and against. But, in this case I found nothing positive or

supporting using the device in adults w/out the surgery. I spent

hours looking too. The ortho did during the consult mention the

surgery briefly, but when he found out my husband is military and

that we live on army base, he changed his tone and leaned more

towards not having the surgery. He made it sound like a big hassle

to deal with my insurance.

That is a brief history....the RPE is to correct a mild crossbite

and expand my narrow upper palate.

My questions are: are there any adults that went through only the

RPE and either did relapse or did not?

Did anyone have SARPE and wisdom teethe extracted at the same

time?

Being that I am military I " think " I have to go to my military

hospital to have this procedure covered by my insurance. Is the

surgery extremely precise and something that can easily go wrong?

How easy is it to get a non assymetrical result?

Would most oral surgeons be able to perform this surgery w/good

results?

Also, my husband is in Iraq right now, will I need someone at home

to help me after the surgery (I know I will need someone to drive me

home). How difficult is it to enact the expander device w/out

help?

The last question for now and I know this one may sound stupid...I

cannot take many pain meds. w/out getting really sick, What med is

usually prescribed and is it usually needed?

I will appreciate any advice suggestions etc. I am really new to

this.

Ooops, just thought of one more thing, how long after the surgery

before the braces can go on?? I want to have them on before my

husband gets home! Thanks again,

Posted November 9, 2003 · November 9, 2003

Wow..I thought I had a lot of questions! No worries. My scenario is

pretty similar to you. You came to the right palce. Many of my

questions/fears were answered here. Great members.

I will try to answer as many of your questions in my story. if I

leave something out, please inquire.

I had braces from 4th-8th grade. I did 2 tours of duty with an

expander. My crossbite and narrow palate won, and my bite went back

to narrow and forced my front teeth out.

I have been agonizing over doing something about my crossbite for

about 15 years. My bite was off and made eating difficult.I also had

problem breathing through my nose. I am now 32. I decided to go see

a orthodontists to see if Invisalign could fix about a month ago. My

hopes were soon deflated. Ortho explained that I would need SARPE to

fix my problem and Invisalign was pretty much not an issue for me. I

needed to decide if another tour of duty with braces was something I

wanted and could afford, lasting probably 12-24 months.

I went to see an OS that my ortho recommended who was on my HMO,

CIGNA, a week later. He explained the procedure. An expander would

be installed prior by an ortho. It would be an outpatient procedure

lasting about 5 hours from entry to hospital till leaving. Under

anethesia, OS would cut 3 incisions in my upper gum. One on each

side and one b/w the 2 front teeth. These cuts would be above the

gumline and not visible unless you really pulled the lip up. Eating

etc would be difficult for a few weeks, swelling would be present,

nasal congestion, were expected he said.

I thought about it, and went ahead. I did not want to think about

this. Longer i waited longer it would bother me.

I had the surgery last monday in NY at Columbia. I luckily had my

mom come. i was in at 8, talked to OS, put under anrthesia, and woke

up around 1:00. After the drugs wore off I left with my mom. They

would not let me leave alone, and for good reason. I was a little

grogy, but did not have much pain. I got home and slept while my

mom got my meds. I took a steroid pill, vicodin, and anti-biotic

till today. I also rinsed with some prescription antibacterial

rinse 2 a day. Also, my bite/teeth looked the same. After my OS made

the cuts he openned up the expander to make sure it worked then put

it back to starting position. He said ortho will take it from here.

Some people get a gap b/w their front teeth immediately post

surgery. I don't have one yet, but I have not seen my ortho yet post-

op.

After a nap I was up and feeling pretty good. I did not feel much

pain but took the painkiller for the first 3 days just in case. I

was swollen, but kept it iced as much as possible. I am not working

now so time to rest was not an issue. However, i was able to do

many little tasks around the house the next day with no problem. I

got brave and ventured out the day after surgery for a few hrs. to

shop etc.and payed a price: my face swelled up.

I ate and am still eating a soft food diet. Currently I feel I could

bite, but want OK from OS. Like I stated, pain has not been a major

factor for me. I still have the typical numbness below my nose and

can't totally feel most of my upper teeth. There is also a pressure

feeling there when I bite.

I will see my ortho tomorrow. I assume he will start cranking my

expander. He told me within 2 weeks it will be in optimal position.

He will then lock it and let the bones heal in their new position.

I will have to wear the expander 3-6 months till bones are

stabilized. Before I forget, expander is awkward at first with

eating and talking, but my experince and that of other, is that this

goes away in a couple of weeks. I did the key turning by myself when

young, was not an issue. Currently, it is almost not noticeable for

me and to others. Ortho says he will put bands on in 2 months. in

terms of relapse, I can't help you there. However, my research and

questions have not indicated any incidence of relapse. I would say

from my personal experience, that just using the expander w/o

surgery most likely will result in a relapse and time and $$$$

wasted.

OK..Man..I think I wrote an autobiography. I was like you a short

time ago, doind tons of research, etc. i am glad i started. Oh I

forgot I proceeded even though I am a single, activily dating male.

(which created confidence/embarassment issues for me). If you have

insurance coverage and a good ortho & OS, I say go for it. Stop

mulling it over. You know you want to get this over with. The

pain/discomfort is not that bad (IMHO). These issues from my

experience/research are short term. before you know it they have

passed. Read other posts on SARPE and recovery to get other

opinions, there are many. Give me a shout if you need any info.

Excuse any typos, spelling, no time to correct.

> Hi, my name is and I am 26. I have just decided to get

> braces (well, am actually finally financially able to) and have a

> couple of questions. During my initial consult the ortho told me

> that I would require an RPE before applying braces. So, I came

home

> and researched the device to find out that it is not really useful

> and can do alot of damage in adults. I went back to his assistant

> (he was not present that day) and told her that I had been

> researching and found that using the device w/out surgery in

adults

> usually leads to a relapse once it is removed, tipping and bending

> of the jaw bones, multiple periodontal problems etc. I had a list

> that day, but not now. Anyways the reply I got back was that for

> any subject researched you will find tons of info both supporting

> and against. But, in this case I found nothing positive or

> supporting using the device in adults w/out the surgery. I spent

> hours looking too. The ortho did during the consult mention the

> surgery briefly, but when he found out my husband is military and

> that we live on army base, he changed his tone and leaned more

> towards not having the surgery. He made it sound like a big hassle

> to deal with my insurance.

> That is a brief history....the RPE is to correct a mild

crossbite

> and expand my narrow upper palate.

> My questions are: are there any adults that went through only

the

> RPE and either did relapse or did not?

> Did anyone have SARPE and wisdom teethe extracted at the same

> time?

> Being that I am military I " think " I have to go to my military

> hospital to have this procedure covered by my insurance. Is the

> surgery extremely precise and something that can easily go wrong?

> How easy is it to get a non assymetrical result?

> Would most oral surgeons be able to perform this surgery w/good

> results?

> Also, my husband is in Iraq right now, will I need someone at

home

> to help me after the surgery (I know I will need someone to drive

me

> home). How difficult is it to enact the expander device w/out

> help?

> The last question for now and I know this one may sound

stupid...I

> cannot take many pain meds. w/out getting really sick, What med is

> usually prescribed and is it usually needed?

> I will appreciate any advice suggestions etc. I am really new

to

> this.

> Ooops, just thought of one more thing, how long after the

surgery

> before the braces can go on?? I want to have them on before my

> husband gets home! Thanks again,

Posted November 10, 2003 · November 10, 2003

:

I had a SARPE on July 18 and I am still numb, stiff and even a little

swollen. The whole procedure and its aftereffects were much more

difficult than I had been told. Others apparently have recovered

rather quickly from this and have few if any complications.

Fred

> Hi, my name is and I am 26. I have just decided to get

> braces (well, am actually finally financially able to) and have a

> couple of questions. During my initial consult the ortho told me

> that I would require an RPE before applying braces. So, I came

home

> and researched the device to find out that it is not really useful

> and can do alot of damage in adults. I went back to his assistant

> (he was not present that day) and told her that I had been

> researching and found that using the device w/out surgery in adults