Treatment of a Patient with Severe Crowding Needing Expansion
The photograph below demonstrates the result of insufficient bone to accommodate the correct eruption of the permanent teeth. As a result of a lack of sufficient space, teeth may surface randomly even if they are not located on the bony ridge. Previously this type of crowding would mandate extracting permanent teeth to place the teeth on the ridge in an aligned manner.
Palatal expansion has the capability of increasing the size of the table where teeth are placed and thus accommodate more teeth in a healthy manner.
Research has shown that the upper airway and middle airway are widened as a result of this procedure. Improved sleep may be a consequence of this treatment. Improved space for the tongue may improve speech. To read more about problems due to early overcrowding, click here.
