I’m feeling frustrated and concerned and it hasn’t been in for more than 6 hours.

The reason I chose this is because I experience sleep/oxygen issues, TMJ, neck pain, depression/anxiety, and have had some other long time health issues that this particular dentist can resolve via surgery. The ALF appliance ended up being something discussed with me because I mentioned that I wanted to get some orthodontic care just for cosmetic reasons.

I’m wondering what I’ve got myself into and if I’ve made a very expensive $9k mistake. The technicians that installed it didn’t seem competent and my dentist doesn’t fill me with much confidence either. I’m taking personal responsibility though. I might have been impulsive because I’ve been desperate to heal some issues.

I felt outrage when I saw it for the first time. It’s no more complex looking than a very special 📎 paperclip.

I’m concerned that in the wrong hands, this appliance could cause serious problems.

I was under the impression that it would be removable. (Mine is not.)

My teeth are now not fully connecting during my bite. There’s a small gap. I can’t completely bite down and it’s maddening. Is it supposed to be like that???!!

I was told that this would heal my TMJ, and a long list of other issues/ increase oxygen and something about No2 at the back of the nose, increase certain neurotransmitters etc, all because of the airway, vagus nerve, etc. My dentist sold it as a necessary intervention.

It wasn’t until after it was fitted was I informed that the outward expansion has less to do with the wires and mostly to do with my tongue placement being the driving force. I’m upset I didn’t do more research. Did I buy an expensive mewing-tongue-placement-training-wheels?? I feel duped.

Does anyone have any positive encouragement to share? Thoughts? Advice? Experience? My main concern is that I can’t bite down completely, and that I can’t remove it at will.

Thank you for your help 🙏🏻