Caden was a nighttime thumb sucker until he was 5.5 years old. We assumed he would need some orthodontic work, but at age 6 his dental hygienist said his bite was normal. Somehow, by the time he turned 7 he had developed a crossbite (maybe a shift happened when his permanent teeth came in?). For him, the crossbite meant his upper teeth on the left side of his mouth rested on the inside of his bottom teeth when he would bite down (instead of on the outside). His orthodondist said it could be from the thumbsucking, but more than likely his small mouth is due to genetics.
In August of 2015 this boy had a palatal expander placed in his mouth to expand his upper jaw. I had to use a "key" to turn the appliance every day for 2 weeks. With each turn his palate pulled a little bit apart, creating a gap in the growth plate that runs down the middle of the roof of the mouth. His teeth were sore for the first few days, making it hard to eat. The worst part was that he had to deal with a constant headache for those 2 weeks. But, after 14 turns he no longer had a cross bite! He was so used to moving his lower jaw to the side to bite down, that he had to practice biting straight down for a few days for it to feel normal.
He had to keep the metal appliance in his mouth for 8 months. He was not happy about this because he couldn't eat anything hard, chewy or sticky during this time. That meant he couldn't eat things like candy, popcorn and chips. Even corn on the cob was out and apples were a maybe. He had to wear the appliance for so long because it allowed the open space in his palate to be filled in with bone.
Last week the expander was removed and he graduated to a retainer! They took a mold for the retainer at 8:00 in the morning and by 4:00 of the same day it was in his mouth. They have a quick turnaround to prevent any movement in his mouth from happening. We could have chosen a permanent retainer but he was so sad these past few months that he couldn't eat so many things he loves (Halloween was no fun either!). So, we went for the removable option that he takes out to eat and to brush his teeth. It was nice to hear that this is what the orthodontist recommended (it's easier to keep the teeth clean) and also what most parents choose. I am a little worried this boy will throw his retainer away after lunch at school, so I hope I don't live to regret it! He has been thoroughly warned (and threatened with the permanent option), so hopefully he won't dare forget to put it back in his mouth after he eats. The retainer is in his mouth for the long haul...he will wear it until braces come into play later.
Unfortunately, both Porter and Ryland currently have a crossbite. :( Porter's corrected quite a bit on its own a year ago after he stopped sucking his thumb at night. One side of his upper teeth no longer rests inside his lower teeth, but it didn't move enough that it rests completely on the outside of his lower teeth, either. When he closes his mouth, his upper and lower teeth make contact, but the upper teeth do not overlap the bottom teeth. Sometimes it can correct on its own when the permanent teeth come in, but more than likely he will also need a palatal expander after his 6-year molars make their appearance. Ugh. Just another couple of grand is all (I wish someone could tell me why this costs so much!). Luke does not have this issue, but there is very little room in his mouth for his permanent teeth. We are going to be racking up quite the orthodonia bills, I'm afraid!
In August of 2015 this boy had a palatal expander placed in his mouth to expand his upper jaw. I had to use a "key" to turn the appliance every day for 2 weeks. With each turn his palate pulled a little bit apart, creating a gap in the growth plate that runs down the middle of the roof of the mouth. His teeth were sore for the first few days, making it hard to eat. The worst part was that he had to deal with a constant headache for those 2 weeks. But, after 14 turns he no longer had a cross bite! He was so used to moving his lower jaw to the side to bite down, that he had to practice biting straight down for a few days for it to feel normal.
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| Caden's crossbite |
He had to keep the metal appliance in his mouth for 8 months. He was not happy about this because he couldn't eat anything hard, chewy or sticky during this time. That meant he couldn't eat things like candy, popcorn and chips. Even corn on the cob was out and apples were a maybe. He had to wear the appliance for so long because it allowed the open space in his palate to be filled in with bone.
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| Love this boy's eye lashes! |
Last week the expander was removed and he graduated to a retainer! They took a mold for the retainer at 8:00 in the morning and by 4:00 of the same day it was in his mouth. They have a quick turnaround to prevent any movement in his mouth from happening. We could have chosen a permanent retainer but he was so sad these past few months that he couldn't eat so many things he loves (Halloween was no fun either!). So, we went for the removable option that he takes out to eat and to brush his teeth. It was nice to hear that this is what the orthodontist recommended (it's easier to keep the teeth clean) and also what most parents choose. I am a little worried this boy will throw his retainer away after lunch at school, so I hope I don't live to regret it! He has been thoroughly warned (and threatened with the permanent option), so hopefully he won't dare forget to put it back in his mouth after he eats. The retainer is in his mouth for the long haul...he will wear it until braces come into play later.
He got to choose his color(s) and design. He went for the tiger design in red and black. It's pretty cool.
Unfortunately, both Porter and Ryland currently have a crossbite. :( Porter's corrected quite a bit on its own a year ago after he stopped sucking his thumb at night. One side of his upper teeth no longer rests inside his lower teeth, but it didn't move enough that it rests completely on the outside of his lower teeth, either. When he closes his mouth, his upper and lower teeth make contact, but the upper teeth do not overlap the bottom teeth. Sometimes it can correct on its own when the permanent teeth come in, but more than likely he will also need a palatal expander after his 6-year molars make their appearance. Ugh. Just another couple of grand is all (I wish someone could tell me why this costs so much!). Luke does not have this issue, but there is very little room in his mouth for his permanent teeth. We are going to be racking up quite the orthodonia bills, I'm afraid!
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