The most recent step in my orthodontic treatment is a “fun” (said in the most sarcastic of tones) little device that is cemented to the roof of my mouth, which is supposed to expand my palette, and in turn allowing my teeth to all fit together. The only thing I’m concerned with it is the way it makes me talk!
Seriously – hold your tongue with your fingers and the way you sound is pretty much how I sound (withOUT having to personally hang onto my tongue).
My job requires consistent talking – on the phone, orientations, interviews and ordering my lunch over the phone. All requiring speech. After today, and responses including perplexity, laughing, or hanging up on the phone, I’ve decided to just have it out.
So, I introduce to you my first vlog. The purpose? Get your laughing out of your system now! I’d rather you do it when I can’t hear you. 
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m ecshtatic about your performanshe of bravery and putting yourshelf out there! LOVE it! You’d better get shome chapshtick for your crushty crushtsh, that new hardware in your mouth might dry thingsh out a bit…. btw, did you happen to shee Peter on your commute?!!
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Katie had the same thing done. But she also has to wear a face mask 14 hours a day to pull her upper jaw forward. Think Hannibal Lecter. Your speech will improve, so save the money you would have spent on a speech therapist. I feel for you!
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Can you repeat that?
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Uh, the appliance in the roof of my mouth had to be custom engineered because my bite was so jacked up, sure was fun to crank that puppy every day for 9 months, or not.
You do learn how to talk around it, I promise. Eating was a whole other story… I felt like a squirrel storing food for winter up on top of that thing.
Now I’m having horrific flashbacks. THANKS CAMILLE!
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I had one of those. I lost 10 lbs thanks to that and braces put on all at once.
I love the speech. I am still not brave enough for a vlog — but maybe soon.
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I remember the LOVELY seperation of my two front teeth. I would crank that at night right before bed so I could sleep through the pain. Oh, the pain. Did anybody mention to you how they remove it? They haven’t? Well, you are ONE LUCKY CHICK….because when the day comes that they are going to take that out, I highly suggest either laughing gas or morphine. That was the single most painful moment of my life. I would gladly go through child birth without drugs! GOOD LUCK!
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I had one of those! The very day it was put on, I had to perform a scene in my high school drama class. Yeah. THAT was fun, trying to make sure I was even remotely understandable.
My daughter recently had another device in her mouth, and she adapted her speech surprisingly well. By the time it came off, she sounded pretty darn normal.
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I just love you.
I love that you are multi tasking…vlogging while driving.
That is how you MAKE IT WORK!! =)
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For the life of me I could not figure out what was in your back window. Finally I realized it was a rack of some sort. Whew! Thank you for the chuckle–I needed it after a long afternoon school shopping.
Both my girls had the palette expansion device and it was a party. Like Kalli said, you’ll speak normally soon enough, but eating will remain an interesting and challenging endeavor. Can’t wait to see how it all works out tomorrow!
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OK, that was about the cutest thing ever!!!! Seriously.
I also really appreciated the fact that you were wearing a seatbelt and continuously looking in the rearview mirror. You are such a safe driver!!!!
Are you sure you are driving in Utah?
Just wonderin’
I think driving in Utah is scary.
How long do you have to wear the expander thingy?
You’ll be so used to it in a day or two that you won’t want it off ever I’m pretty sure.
LOVE YOU!
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camille, i LOVE this!!!!
you have no idea.
RPE= rapid palatal expander.
ortho is my life!
before getting to become a SAHM last november,
i was an orthodontic assistant & treatment coordinator.
so i know exactly what you’re going through.
if you see a slight space between your top front teeth, don’t panic.
just means the RPE’s doing it’s job! you’re that much closer to perfection.
orthodontically speaking of course. ::snicker::
the braces themselves will correct the alignment and the gap will disapper.
i think it’s awesome that you vlogged this.
i’m gonna send a link over to the gal who took over my position at my old office.
she may find this helpful for answering patients’ concerns & questions.
also, before you know it, you won’t even notice the expander.
your speaking will adapt a great deal.
and when it’s time to remove it & go to a TPA/Nance (space maintainer while the bone regenerates & fills in), you’ll feel almost lonely without it.
no lie.
have a great weekend.
again, i ADORE this post!!!
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p.s.
i’ve had braces 3 times now.
my husband’s in his 2nd go-round with braces.
my 13 yr old’s transitioning from phase I into phase II treatment in 3 weeks (basically we’ll be adding lower braces finally, 2 years after starting with upper braces & headgear at night.)
so we’re a braceface kinda place around here.
so we’re your biggest fans & kindred!
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one last word:
milkshakes
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This totally made me smile! I love that you’re driving and vlogging at the same time.
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Camille, I have never heard such a great description of a recently placed RPE. I am the Treatment Coordinator that took over for ms Keely, and as much as I enjoyed your Vlog, I am not showing this to my patients! Some mysteries are best discovered through their own personal experience. I have been through orthodontic treatment twice myself (you must wear your retainer at the end of treatment!), and I would rather do Ortho over a pregnancy any day. Keep up your good spirits, and that appliance will be out before you know it. Thanks for sharing!!
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Oh I love you!
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Whatever, you’re adorable!
I’ve never had braces but, I think you look great!
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I am literal laughing out loud! Thank you for the comic relief today…I am such a fan!!!
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Camille,
I swear only you could pull this off…you rock!
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you are going to be crazy hot with those beautiful teeth when they are done
WOOT!
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