Metal Mouth Message Board

So, I'm trying to get some clarification as to why expansion is necessary in my case. I have a narrow arch and an open bite. I also have a posterier crossbite, I think. My open bite was caused by tongue thrusting at a time when I had severe TMJ. I would thrust my tongue forward to relieve the pressure on my joints. I did not have an open bite before my TMJ and do not think I thrusted my tongue before either. I remember at the time that I began to have problems with my TMJ, I also started to have trouble with my speech. I developed a bit of a lisp. I've always been extremely aware of what my tongue and mouth are doing because I'm an actor.

So fast forward a couple of years. After a year and half of agony I found a neuromuscular dentist who made me an orthotic and thus ended my TMJ woes. I also worked with a orofacial myologist to correct my tongue thrusting and mouth breathing. This work was very thorough and I know that do not thrust or mouth breath any longer. And I have no issues with breathing through my nose. Oh and also, I have no crowding. Except for the open bite my teeth are essentially completely straight.

So my question is...if I do not have a problem with mouth breathing, tongue-thrusting or crowding, WHY do I need to expander. And what is really going to do for me? These are questions I need to ask my dentist I realize, but I thought I throw out to the forum and see what came back.

Thank you!!
Rachel

I have a posterior cross-bite as well, and I guess an expander is the only way to correct it! (I'm getting an expander as well) And seeing that you said that you have a narrow arch, I guess that's the reason why you need an expander because what it does is that it expands your arch and will uncross your posterior cross-bite and give you a wider smile