• guide the growth of the jaw,
  
• regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches (the arch-shaped jaw bone that supports the teeth),
  
• guide incoming permanent teeth into desirable positions,
  
• lower risk of trauma (accidents) to protruded upper incisors (front teeth),
  
• correct harmful oral habits such as thumb- or finger-sucking,
  
• reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems,
  
• improve personal appearance and self-esteem,
  
• potentially simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics,
  
• reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not), and
  
• preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are coming in.

Before	After

© 2001,2006 Christina M. Martin, D.D.S., M.S. PA All Rights Reserved.