Andrea O'Brien Andrea O'Brien

Therapy During Expansion: It Depends

Therapy in Expansion: It all depends.

Orthodontic and orthopedic expansion can play a powerful role in helping children (and adults!) create more space for proper breathing, chewing, and overall craniofacial development. But one of the most common questions parents ask is:

“Does my child need therapy during expansion?”

And the most honest answer is… it depends. Every child’s body, nervous system, and oral function are unique. Expansion is not just a dental process — it’s a whole-body event. When we look beyond the appliance and consider how the jaw, tongue, airway, and fascial system respond, we start to understand why supportive therapy can make such a big difference.

In this post, we’ll explore why therapy may be recommended during expansion and how targeted approaches like Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT), jaw stability training, tongue strengthening, and nasal breathing support can create a smoother, more successful expansion journey.

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Andrea O'Brien Andrea O'Brien

Could It Be the Airway?

Could It Be the Airway? The Overlooked Connection Between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and ADHD in Kids

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Andrea O'Brien Andrea O'Brien

Don’t Rush to Cut

Don’t Rush to Cut: Why Seeking Support for Breastfeeding Challenges Before a Tongue Tie Release Is Essential

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