Question for Those with Kids W/plagio

Maybe have her assessed by a pediatric plastic surgeon? My son also had it and we didn't know enough to intervene in time. We were told to wait until his adult teeth come in and then assess how his jaw shape ends up looking. The head thing made his facial features asymmetrical, but they told us there was really nothing they could do until later - but I'm sure every child is different.

I don't feel like this posting is very helpful! If it's any help at all, I've noticed some kind of a pediatric orthodonist/plastic surgeon practice that advertises in Chicago Parent. I don't have a Chicago Parent handy and can't remember the name, but I know that I've made a mental note that they might be a place to consult eventually. They usually run a half-page ad. Something like that seems like a starting point, - dentists are only concerned with the teeth, but you would want someone also concerned with the whole shape of the face to look at it, I would think. Good luck! I hope you have a chance to update on what you learn.

She may just have an underbite. Have you seen the new Disney movie called Enchanted. One of the characters in that movie has an underbite and is quite lovely and easily understood. At any rate, it can be corrected by braces later...my brother had an underbite that was corrected that way....head gear and all that jazz. Now days they can start them in braces fairly early and not wait until all the adult teeth are in. My niece got her braces at 10 or 12 not sure.

I've met several children that had to wear the helmets. I don't believe any of them had an underbite. Have you tried to Google the condition and research it yourself? You may find info on it that way that you can't get from a dentist or the doctor.????

Go and See Frank Vicari at Children's memorial. he's a plastic surgeon and specializes in Plagiocephaly as well as other issues surrounding cleft palate/madibles, etc. He also work with Dr. Ericson who is an oral surgeon specializing in mandible malformations, etc. They are an excellent team and I can't recommend them enough.

Dear danette,
my daughter was born 3 month premature & i have had tons of follow-up for various issues, your request for someone to put it all together struck me with a doctor i have followed up with for 2 1/2 years with my daughter--he seems to put it all together for me & tells me things i should expect or not expect--its worth a shot! He is in charge of pediatric clinical psychology at rush university medical center--his name is dr michael nelson...i am sure he can direct you to the right doctors/therapists for your concerns..i am at work so i dont have his number with me, if you cant find it contact me & i will get it to you.
Good luck!
A.

Take her for a consultation with an orthodontist regarding her teeth rather than a dentist.

My son had a palate expander inserted at 7.5 to expand his upper palate. It was in place for about 1.5 years and it slowly increased his palate size. This HAS to be done before they hit a certain age when their palate fuses and isn't movable anymore. At that point, the only option is surgery to break the jaw and move the bones to increase the palate size.

I don't know what this was related to exactly, but my friend had the issue of her bottom teeth sticking out in front of her front teeth. All I know is that they did not fix it until she was a freshman in college, which was right after I met her. I think this was partly due to her having to fight insurance to prove that it was medically necessary, and not cosmetic. But, I'm sure it was also partly due to having to wait until she had all of her adult teeth.

It was a major surgery, but it went really well. Whenever she goes to a new dentist, they bring in everyone to look at her or her records, because it is not done very often, it seems. So, if you need any other info, maybe I can get in touch with her and get some more details. Just let me know!