| Here we see the dramatic result after use of a cemented expansion appliance and comprehensive orthodontic appliances (braces). You might ask why did the dentist not refer this patient to an orthodontist earlier? Some General Dentists will say to wait until all the primary or baby teeth "fall out " before sending the patient to an orthodontist. Sometimes the baby teeth simply do not "fall out" in a normal sequence. This is usually hereditary. Dr. Garvey will take a free pano x-ray and and often send a patient to get baby teeth out if they are causing the permanent teeth to be impacted as in this case. There is no charge for this service except for the records the orthodontist takes. Also had this patient been seen earlier the complete posterior left cross-bite in which the back teeth on the left are on the inside could have been corrected easily in 4 months with a cemented expansion appliance at age 7. Notice the width increase of this patients upper jaw and the change in her willingness to smile. As you can imagine she did not smile before her care and now she never stops smiling. |