Hi everyone, I have a narrow maxilla and as a result wanted to expand it via the ALF appliance.
Unfortunately i developed all kinds of central nervous system issues along with the treatment, thus i am thinking about jaw surgery.
Did anyone with a narrow maxilla receive jaw surgery and had an improvement in dysautonomia symptoms?
Looking for anything insights you might have.
Many of you are likely familiar with the work of Gavin James and Dennis Strokon regarding the resolution of cranial strains using ALF appliances. For complex distortions, their protocols involved utilizing asymmetrical designs combined with elastics or blocks.
For reference, here is a link to a full case study detailing the resolution of a right cranial torsion: https://orthodonticed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Cranial-Strains-and-Malocclusion-IV.-Torsion.pdf
Similarly, Dr. Savinov (a Russian dentist trained by Kaye McArthur and Bob Walker) used techniques close to those of James and Strokon. Some of his case studies have also been shared here in the group.
In speaking with several leading ALF providers—including instructors for both the ALF Interface Academy and the Nordstrom Academy—I have noticed that none of them currently follow the James/Strokon protocols. Instead, the general consensus has shifted heavily toward using symmetrical ALF designs.
For those involved in the ALF community, I would love to get your insights:
Why has the asymmetrical approach fallen out of use? Is it simply due to the technical complexity, or have better, more predictable methods for addressing cranial asymmetry been developed?
Is anyone still actively using these protocols today? I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences.
Hey, does anyone have experience in getting treated by Dr Bahar Esmaili or Dr Laura Torrado?
Hi everyone,
I got treatment with the ALF appliance plus a mandibularsplint for my tmj issues. I was wearing the devices for 6 months. While initially they made me feel amazing, that feeling was wearing off pretty quickly and my symptoms were creeping back. I saw my dentist a couple times and they made asjustments but it got worse and worse to a point that i had to stop the treatment.
Since then, i am just crashing and developed all kinds of dysautonomia symptoms. I have pain all over my body, constant panic attacs, extreme sensitivity to noise, light, dizziness and balance issues.
I did a CBCT scan and talked to another dentist, which said that the ALF only expanded one side of my cranium, leading to a severe cranial strain.
Anyone with similar experience? I am starting to loose hope as it has been 6 months since the treatment and i have not improved at all.
Hi everyone,
I got treatment with the ALF appliance plus a mandibularsplint for my tmj issues. I was wearing the devices for 6 months. While initially they made me feel amazing, that feeling was wearing off pretty quickly and my symptoms were creeping back. I saw my dentist a couple times and they made asjustments but it got worse and worse to a point that i had to stop the treatment.
Since then, i am just crashing and developed all kinds of dysautonomia symptoms. I have pain all over my body, constant panic attacs, extreme sensitivity to noise, light, dizziness and balance issues.
I did a CBCT scan and talked to another dentist, which said that the ALF only expanded one side of my cranium, leading to a severe cranial strain.
Anyone with similar experience? I am starting to loose hope as it has been 6 months since the treatment and i have not improved at all.
Hi everyone, I got treatment with the AlF, unfortunately the devices causes a lot of harm as it only expanded one side of my maxilla. The result is a severe cranial strain, with all kinds of nervous system issues.
There are a lot of papers out there by Gavin James and Dennis Stokon on how to correct cranial strains with the ALF. In most cases they use asymetrical designs with blocks on one side.
As of now, i could not find a provider using those protocolls, everyone i spoke to just uses symetrical Designs. Is anyone aware if there are any peoviders still following those protocols?