Dental and Orthodontics

The muscles of our mouth and face are nature’s living orthodontic equalizers. They can have a great influence on the movement and position of our teeth.

Tooth position is ever-changing, so they can be altered and moved by muscular influence from the jaws, lips, tongue, and cheeks. The same forces used by orthodontics can also be used by the tongue to move teeth.

Ideally, a balance of forces exists between the lips and cheeks on the outside of the teeth, and the tongue on the inside of the teeth.

Any imbalances affect the growth, comfort, and position of the teeth and jaw.

The most significant type of muscular imbalance to affect the oral and facial structures is called a “tongue thrust” or “reverse swallow.”

Expansion

An orthodontic expander is an appliance that gradually widens your child's jaw and palate, allowing room for their adult teeth to grow in normally or to correct jaw misalignment. Expanding the upper palate creates more space for the tongue, which may have previously been unable to rest in its proper position due to a narrow palate. By widening the palate, the tongue can naturally rest against the roof of the mouth, promoting better oral posture and function. If palate expansion is done before the cranial bones fully fuse, it can help create a broader airway, making breathing easier and more efficient. This early expansion allows for better airflow and can support improved respiratory function.

Every orthodontic expander is custom-made to fit a child's natural palate. Although not as common, adults may also be treated with an expansion appliance.

After expansion is completed, or near completion, the tongue has more space to live in. Because of muscle memory, myofunctional therapy is recommended to teach the patient new habits of tongue posture. This helps maintain the broader palate by applying pressure to the palate and teeth, preventing relapse.