Metal Mouth Message Board

My teeth is slightly crowded and I'm planning on getting braces. When I went in to talk with the orthodontist he said I would need braces that would expand my teeth out a little and straighten it. But my question is can braces alone do that or do I need a palate expander? Also how does expanding your arch affect your face structure and jaw line, does it make you look skinny and a little gaunt since your arch is too wide for your face? Has anyone experience having their arch widened and without extraction in their 20s? How has the result affected your face structure? Thanks.

I'm not sure if this is your situation, but sometimes molars and other teeth are tipped inward towards the inside of the mouth. Braces alone would be able to upright them to their proper position and make your arch look wider. If your ortho did not mention an expander, then you are probably not getting one.

As for face shape change--the short answer is...it depends. There have been many posts over the years on the boards about braces/extraction/expansion and face shape change. Some people notice a change in their face, others don't. Some people like the change, some are indifferent, some are devastated. Take the posts you receive with a grain of salt as what happens/happened to someone else is not necessarily what will happen in your particular case. Everyone is different. If you are very concerned, I'd speak to your orthodontist.