Medical disclaimer

This is information, not advice

Everything published on this website about conditions and treatments is general health information. It is not a diagnosis, not a treatment plan, and not a substitute for an in-person clinical examination by a qualified clinician who has examined you and reviewed your records.

No outcome is promised

No treatment described here is offered as a cure, and no success rate, resolution rate or guaranteed result is claimed for any of them. In particular:

• Orthodontic treatment is not presented as a cure for temporomandibular disorder. Most temporomandibular disorders improve with conservative management, and outcomes vary between individuals.
• Orthodontic treatment and oral appliances are not presented as a cure for obstructive sleep apnoea. That condition is diagnosed and managed by a physician, and orthodontic contributions are made within a medical plan.
• Maxillary expansion is not presented as a treatment for a breathing disorder. Changes in nasal dimensions have been measured after expansion, but individual effects on breathing vary and cannot be predicted.
• Suitability for any procedure — MARPE in particular — depends on individual anatomy assessed on imaging, and is not determined by age or by preference.

Seek proper assessment

If you have symptoms that concern you, see a qualified clinician. Do not delay seeking care because of something you have read here.

Urgent symptoms

Seek same-day medical or dental care for facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, an inability to bring your teeth together after an injury, a jaw that has locked open, or uncontrolled bleeding. Do not use the appointment form for urgent problems.

Editorial responsibility

Clinical content on this site is prepared and reviewed by Dr. Moaiyad Pacha, Consultant Specialist Orthodontist (DDS, MSc, PhD, F.Orth RCS (Eng), M.Orth RCS (Edin), FHEA). Pages carry the date on which they were last reviewed.