I can also sympathize. I got braces a third time at 29, a few years back.
They had to have me use a jaw expander. My Uncle described it as looking like the grill of a 56 CHEVY behind my upper teeth.
I had this for over 7 months.
I lost 11 lbs could barely eat as all the food would get trapped behind it. I had to use a special tool to uptrap the food. It took me 3 months not to sound like there was a problem with me when I spoke.
The worst part was I had to crank it on a daily basis. There was this metal tool that I had to fit into a slot and crank to expand the jaw....
TALK ABOUT PAINFUL!
Though it was all worth it in the end.
