Face changes
I have some body dysmorphia so I have struggled with seeing the changes other than the size of the gap in my teeth. Super glad I took a closed smile photo, because trying to recreate it is what actually helped me understand the changes to my facial structure from my expansion. Turns out my cheeks are actually significantly wider and I had no idea haha.
Top photo is less than a week before the MARPE was placed. Bottom photo is about a week after my last turn. (Same room and lighting, tried to get same hair, same weight. My rosacea is a lil more flared in the second but oh well.)
I got a MARPE mostly to try to help my sleep apnea and give my tongue room in my mouth(likely the cause of the OSA per my sleep doc). I figured if it helped my cross bite or TMJD, too, it would be a perk.
Benefits I've noticed:
-My tongue posture is more forward, and I have less muscle tension as I can actually relax my tongue and breathe simultaneously.
-I can breathe SO MUCH BETTER through my nose. I can actually breathe through my nose when I go for a run, something I couldn't do before.
- Related to that, it's been wild to realize how much more I can smell. That has been mixed discovery as it turns out I was missing both good and bad things lol.
-I won't have a repeat sleep study till the device is out, but I did have to turn down the settings on my CPAP because the pressure was becoming uncomfortable so I'm hopeful.