Hello Carlos ,

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Question: Mar 28, 2001

Dear Dr. Puri, I've just found out that my daughters palate has been overly expanded. She has had Braces for over 3 years, and will be 15 in June. The news was devestating, but we were not surprised. We had noticed changes in her appearence years ago, but I attributed it to puberty and or unfinished work.Her looks have been ruined. Her face is asymetrical with the cheek bones too wide and a lower jaw that has not grown to match it.Can anything be done to correct this? I think she is still growing.I have a unusually beautiful face and am quite sure that my daughter would have been equally attractive. People had always commented that they thought we had been cloned.Her self esteem is effected and she says that the boys overlook her now.Please offer some suggestions. Thankyou!

Answer:

Over expansion can be corrected actively by reversing the expansion mechanics. It can sometimes be corrected be releasing the expansion device, and allowing the expansion to relapse, and in severe cases can be corrected surgicaly. On occasion overexpansion is done intentionally in anticipation of a combined surgical orthodontic correction of a facial asymmetry. It can occur if active expansion occurs druing a growth spurt. Talk to your orthodontist and try to get a clearer understanding of your daughter's orthodontic problems and the progress of her treatment, and make sure there is not something else happening which could cause the facial asymmetry. PS tell her not to worry too much about boys, they have cooties. Dr. Charles McNamara

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