As I had written, I found a "holistic" orthodontist of sorts to hear me out on the whole palate expander issue. The more I researched the implications of a small mouth on the pituitary gland function the more convinced I was that It held the key for many of our kids who typically have small mouths. Add to that the sleep apnea which - even children who have surgeries still seem to have have - I was on a mission.
Fifteen days ago Lucas got his expander. He was so good about making the mold for it - the Dr. let me do it - no fuss, I put that huge tray full of goop in his mouth to make a mold - and it was perfect. The expander is cemented to his teeth so there is only the thin bars across the top which is great because it hasn't really affected his speech - which is exploding!
Anyway, big man lays right down on my lap, lets me put the key in his mouth and turn it - every night, he's amazing. He is also extremely good about brushing and water-piking. As I said, we are 15 days into it, we halfway finished, we turn a total of 30 times.
Let me first say, the change in facial appearance is stunning. Only half way into it, his nose looks bigger, his cheeks look more developed and that "smallness" seems to be vanishing. Aside from that there are AMAZING changes in sleep. Only nose breathes, does not wake up in the middle of the night, sleeps straight through until 6:30 / 7:00am. Truly, truly, incredibly different. I do believe the extra width through the maxillary structures are allowing for better sleep. His speech is also incredible, answering questions, asking them, and reading...everything...out loud, amazing.
We just had pictures taken two days ago (I wanted a nice set before the full set of turns gives him jack-o-lantern teeth!), I can't stop looking at them, this one in particular is incredible (beautiful of course, but noticeably different structure -wise.)
Can't wait for the next 15 days. Changes are incredible!
Wow, he looks awesome! I just emailed a local orthodontist with links to your posts after another night of rough sleep with my 5 year old. We don't have a holistic orthodontist in Maine, but I'm hoping the one I emailed has an open mind...Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've posted this before, but this is an incredible read, and one your orthodontist may find interesting. Halfway down you will see a set of photos. Dr. Price used a 16 year old young man from an institution in the 1930's. The visual morph is startling toward normal, but better yet, I think 4" in height and 20 measurable IQ points after expansion!
Deletehttp://www.westonaprice.org/dentistry/from-attention-deficit-to-sleep-apnea
Thanks!
DeleteThis is excellent Geralyn..Lucas looks amazing and so glad to hear all the positive results. I am going to be looking into this for sure thanks looking forward to more updates. Go Lucas and go super Mama!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome, or better compliance - he is incredible with it!
DeleteWow! I'm super excited by this! I can't wait to try it with my daughter when she is older!
ReplyDeleteHello there Geralyn,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your fabulous success with this treatment for Lucas and THANK YOU for sharing your experiences. Your little boy's face is just lovely!
Greetings from Melbourne, Australia!
I'm a first time commenter on your blog and I just wanted to say that the article about the 16 year old boy with T21 is detailed in Weston Price's book located here: http://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Physical-Degeneration-Weston-Price/dp/0916764206/ref=pd_sim_b_1. I have the book and must say it's well worth purchasing for all kinds of nutritional information. Chapter 19 of this book holds the original story of this young man (among other stories) and can also be found in its entirety here: http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/price/price19.html. It's a bit emotionally hard to read due to the attitudes of the 1940s, but well worth it!
You know, there's not a single thing I've read or experienced that contradicts this growing theory that most of the problems people with Trisomy 21 experience are structural. That is where we're putting much of our energy for our little 18 month old boy Hugh (he has T21), and like you, we'll be looking into palate expansion when the time is right.
Hughy has been receiving all kinds of treatments to support his structure (which I am badly wanting to document on my new blog), as well as supporting it nutritionally and with exercise, upright breast feeding & kinesiology. He's doing so well and is amazing his physiotherapist!
These are very exciting times and I'm sure there are hundreds of mums excitedly waiting to see how Lucas goes in the coming months!
All I can suggest from a few case studies I've read is to make sure your orthodontist is doing everything he can to ensure the expansion holds. It might be worth getting some extra cranial work done (if you haven't already arranged it) at this time to ensure that the connective tissue is happy sitting in its new position. Just a thought & apologies if you've already documented this somewhere else on your blog!
Wishing you & yours the very best!
So wonderful to meet you! Thank you for the links to the information. At this point, our orthodontist says turn for 30 days (rapid expansion) and then leave appliance in for 4 months. It is his opinion that will be enough for structures to form and maintain expansion. If not, we will explore options then, but you are right...it would all be for naught if it doesn't hold.
ReplyDeleteAustralia is rapidly becoming my favorite continent - so many brilliant fearless women!
This is so amazing! We've only been on this journey for 6 months, but I am definitely putting this in my memory bank for the future. I am so excited about all I have been learning from mom bloggers like you. Thank you for sharing. ~Jill
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome Jill - congratulations on your new baby!
DeleteHello Geralyn.
ReplyDeleteIm trying to fit my daughter with the palatal expander, she is 5 yo, with chronic sinusitis with every cold. Her paranasal sinuses just dont drain because their openings are structuraly narrow.
She was in vpk independent as your son and had to took her out due to sinusitis and its complication.
Id would like to know some details more to get in this ship.
Could you be so nice to give me your insights, opinion, info?
Could your son will end up with a upper bite?, may he need a lower jaw expander?
What is the size of the middle screw that was used? What is size of the separation to reach, aimed for?
In what part of the hard palate was the lateral expansion screw located? Behind the front teeth, level with the molars? Could be so nice to have a picture of your son.
Do you know that you can fix for free your son front gap, ther is videos in youtube, im going to send this comment and then going to find in youtube. I just dont want to lose this.
Thank you so much for all your info and inspiration.
You can search in youtube for closing front teeth gap wo braces, with bands.
ReplyDeleteBe sure your son rest his tongue up behind the upper front teeth, the tongue up is its normal retainer.
If your son does not keep his tongue up in resting position please look for tie tongue, posterior type usually goes undiagnosed. Or and strengh the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles that move the tongue up and back.
With isometric exercises.
I have streched my daughter frenulum this way but im going to do laser frenectomy with our father creator will.
Thank you again, im just telling you some of my daughter problems that we had found out.
Mari