Very narrow smile after braces treatment. What can I do to widen my palate? (Photo)

Question

4 teeth were removed as well. No palate expansion was done. I now have straight teeth but my smile is very narrow and my palate is narrow as well. It doesn't help that I have been a mouth breather all my life either. What can I do to widen my palate? Is surgery necessary? I am in my eary 20s.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Unfortunately, the narrow palate should have been addressed BEFORE any teeth were moved and certainly before any teeth were extracted. You are now left to deal with a grossly underdeveloped palate that is causing a narrow smile, narrow face, compromised airway and most likely a compromised TMJ as well. You can still develop the palate but you will have to find a doctor who understands that modern orthodontics does NOT simply mean straightening teeth. Find a doctor who understands the relationship of tooth movement to facial beauty and symmetry, TMJ health and airway health. There are wonderful newer appliances that develop dental arches very effectively WITHOUT needing to extract bicuspid teeth. Find a doctor who understands epigenetic orthodontics and has experience developing adult dental arches. Many doctors will tell you that developing dental arches in adults is not possible or is unstable, this is simply NOT TRUE. We develop dental arches in adults all day long in my practice with beautiful, stable results and WITHOUT EXTRACTING TEETH.Good luck!

Very narrow smile after braces treatment. What can I do to widen my palate? (Photo)

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Very narrow smile after braces treatment. What can I do to widen my palate? (Photo)

Answers (1)

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Everything you need to know about Braces

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.