TADS to correct open bite

[SilverPam]

My daughter (braces from age 9 - 14; now 16) had an open bite due to tongue thrust plus huge molars, that was treated with 4 TADs that made the molars "retreat" back into the jaw. Everything came into beautiful alignment with the TADs (though two fell out and had to be replace - not fun), then, in spite of her wearing her retainers, the bite opened again within a few months; it's now quite bad although the teeth are very straight. She just had her impacted wisdom teeth out two weeks ago. It is possible that the sideways-angled force of the wisdom teeth pushed the molars down again. We will see if anything happens by itself (we hope), then consider braces again (sigh). Otherwise, the ortho suggests jaw surgery, which really sounds horrendous. She did have speech therapy and tongue exercises since age 6, which have helped with speech but not much else.

[bervgirl]

SilverPam,
Sorry to hear about the relapse of your daughter's open bite! I have seen fantastic results from my patients who have had the LaForte surgery. I've had 3 TADS come out too...difficult to deal with for sure! Sometimes Orofacial Myology is better than speech therapy. Might check to see if there is a myologist in your area and have an evaluation to see if they would give her better exercises? Wisdom teeth aren't usually able to move teeth in that way, but the tongue is a very strong muscle! (sometimes in more ways than one! Ha) Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with your decisions!