I sucked my thumb as a kid and was given a thumb crib thing to stop that , but I was never recommended for braces or any other kind of ortho treatment. Anyway it was recently at the dentist that I was told I have an open bite, and that I could get braces and that they would do it for me in their office. My parents started the process immediately for me, somewhat confused and upset about not having it recommended sooner (I'm a 21 y/o guy). While I was getting the molds, the assistant made an off the cuff remark about how I had a narrow jaw for such a big guy (I'm 6'5). I didn't think anything of it, but then the dentist said I had a high palate/narrow jaw too, and said he'd incorporate an expander into the treatment plan (My self-esteem took a bit of a hit, all these flaws ! haha, ignorance is bliss!
).Alright, so I was all set to go in and have them put on the brackets when their office phoned, said they were unable to do it and all their ortho work was being transferred to other doctors. So my parents set up with another Orthodontist, and sent him all the molds and X-rays that had been done. I went to this new guy's office and had a really quick profile photoshoot, and then didn't see him again until the bracket installation.
OK so my concern is this: This second Ortho (who seems to be extremely qualified credential wise, and the office is really swanky) has made no mention or implied any future use of any "expanders," unlike my first Ortho. I feel kind of ignorant about what exactly they accomplish, but I guess my teeth on one side sort of come down end to end, instead of into eachother's grooves. Can braces alone fix this? Am I at a disadvantage for not having any expander appliances? If the braces can pull the teeth just enough so they don't come in end to end on the one side anymore, is a narrow palate something to fix?
I just feel really ignorant and confused, and intimidated to ask about this stuff since every time I see this ortho (two times so far, not including the brief profile picture taking/appointment making) it's him briefly checking my teeth and his assistants hammering away at the grunt work. My parents sort of just got all the billing and stuff worked out and it started really quick, but they don't know what to tell me about this stuff. They (this ortho and his staff) just seem to be focused on the open bite, which they're correcting with elastics non-surgically, so I guess it's not that bad relatively speaking.
After reading about narrow palates and such, I'm wondering why I'm not being recommended things like SARPE. I have TMJ issues that I'm learning about, some nasal stuff, and after seeing my profile, I mean I'm not a bad looking dude (I hope
), but I think I have a somewhat flat/sunken midface relative to the rest: All things that apparently are related to the upper jaw and the palate. Basically I'm wondering if I should be pushing for things like palate expanders / surgery, or if I should just stick with the braces, keep my mouth shut, and see how it develops?
Sorry for the length (made a couple edits), hope I didn't ramble, and any advice however much is greatly appreciated.
