MSE and Facemask
This post demonstrates the MSE + Facemask combination.
FYI I have been more active on YouTube than on the blog. For more frequent updates, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.
For example, I posted this video several days ago:
Intro to MSE and Facemask
Facemask used alongside MSE is a promising treatment modality for sagittal (forward) orthodontic expansion in adults.
Unlike any other adult expander in existence, facemask may actually produce bonafide skeletal expansion (forward movement of the A point).
Despite having confidence in the facemask, and despite the fact that my custom MSE contained hooks to accomodate the facemask, I have decided not to use it.
This decision is very specific to my case and is not a condemnation of the MSE + facemask treatment modality as a whole. I continue to believe that for most adults seeking expansion, this is probably a very good option.
In fact, whenever I used the facemask, I did feel like it was appliance very strong force to all the right areas, and felt like it was doing good work.
Here is what it looks like:
Why Am I Not Using Facemask?
Inconvenience - I spend much of my time on campus, where it is too inconvenient to wear it.
Headaches - The facemask can be worn at night, but when I tried I woke up with headaches. This issue may be unique to me as I have been sensitive to headaches for most of my adult life.
Overbite - my upper arch already has sufficient forward expansion as compared to my lower arch. Expanding with facemask may have brought me back into an overbite, like AGGA did.