Therapy During Expansion: It 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.

The Nervous System Comes First: How CFT Supports Expansion

Expansion places gentle, consistent pressure on the palate and midface, and the body needs to adapt to these changes. Some children move through expansion easily, while others show signs of tension, discomfort, sleep disruption, or difficulty with regulation.

This is where Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) becomes incredibly helpful.

Why CFT?

CFT works with the soft tissues, fascia, and craniosacral system to release restrictions that can:

• Make expansion feel uncomfortable

• Contribute to headaches or facial tension

• Affect how the tongue and jaw rest

• Impact sleep, mood, and feeding

When the nervous system is dysregulated or stuck in “tight” patterns, expansion can feel harder. By integrating CFT during the process, we help the body:

• Relax into the new growth and space

• Reduce tension around the palate and midface

• Improve mobility and symmetry

• Support better sleep and regulation

Think of it as making sure the body has the flexibility and calm it needs to accept the changes expansion brings.

Jaw Stability: The Foundation for Healthy Growth

As the palate widens, the bite and jaw may shift — that’s expected. But for some children, poor jaw stability or weak oral-facial muscles can create challenges, such as:

• Incorrect chewing patterns

• Clenching or grinding

• Difficulty maintaining a proper rest posture

• Fatigue with eating

Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen the muscles that guide the jaw and provide stability during this time of rapid change.

What this might include:

• Postural exercises for head and neck alignment

• Controlled, symmetrical chewing

• Strengthening the muscles that support jaw closure and rest

A stable jaw makes expansion more comfortable and sets the stage for better long-term results.

Tongue Strengthening: The Key Player in Expansion Success

Expansion creates space, but the tongue is what maintains it.

If the tongue is low, weak, or restricted (structurally or functionally), the palate may collapse inward again over time. Therapy during expansion ensures the tongue can:

• Rest fully on the palate

• Support widening and shaping

• Assist in proper swallowing

• Stabilize the newly created space

This may include:

• Elevation exercises

• Lateralization and cupping

• Strength-based training

• Functional swallowing practice

Tongue function is often overlooked, but it’s absolutely essential to maximizing the benefits of expansion.

Nasal Breathing: The Non-Negotiable Partner to Expansion

Expansion improves airway volume, but nasal breathing is what keeps the airway functional.

If a child continues to mouth breathe during or after expansion, the benefits are limited. Therapy ensures:

• The lips seal comfortably

• The nasal passages are being used consistently

• The rest posture of the tongue and jaw supports airflow

• Breathing patterns become efficient and automatic

Nasal breathing also improves:

• Sleep quality

• Focus and behavior

• Facial growth

• Posture

• Overall health

Supporting nasal breathing during expansion isn’t optional — it’s foundational.

So… Does Your Child Need Therapy During Expansion?

It depends on their:

• Nervous system regulation

• Oral resting posture

• Tongue strength and mobility

• Nasal breathing ability

• Jaw stability

• History of feeding issues, sleep concerns, or tethered oral tissues

For many children, some combination of CFT, myofunctional therapy, and breathwork can dramatically enhance their expansion results, making the process smoother and more successful.

Therapy is not about adding “extra work.”
It's about giving the body the support, alignment, and functional skills it needs to thrive during this period of rapid change.

Final Thoughts

Expansion doesn’t just widen a palate — it reshapes how a child breathes, sleeps, eats, and develops. When we support the body with therapies like CFT, jaw stabilization, tongue strengthening, and nasal breathing practices, we’re not just guiding teeth… we’re helping a whole child grow into their fullest potential.

Want to learn more about if your child would benefit from therapy during expansion, schedule a free consult here.