07/19/2025
It is important to work with other professionals to get the best outcomes for our kids. The practitioners at FAST have spent years developing a vast professional network of appropriate referral sources. That might mean making referrals to ENT, allergists, dentists, orthodontics, neurology, PT, OT and others. Using a root cause approach is backed by science and yields best outcomes for our patients. Win - win! ❤️
I am well aware of companies promoting therapies to parents that are making claims about avoiding surgery by using their product. This is all about expanding the palate. But can Expanding the Palate Shrink the Tonsils and Adenoids?
There’s a growing interest in airway-focused orthodontics—and that’s a good thing. We all want children to breathe, sleep, and grow better.
But some claims deserve a closer look.
You may have heard: “Expand the palate, and the tonsils and adenoids will shrink.”
🧠 Here’s the truth:
Maxillary expansion can improve nasal airflow, tongue posture, and oral volume—and these are important for overall airway health. But it does not directly treat enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
👉 Enlarged lymphoid tissue in children is usually due to immune response or genetic growth patterns—not lack of space in the palate.
✅ What does help?
• Identifying true obstruction (often via ENT assessment)
• Understanding the cause of tissue enlargement (allergies? infections?)
• Addressing airway issues with a collaborative team—ENTs, sleep doctors, and airway-aware dentists
🙌 Let’s keep working together to deliver whole-child care—grounded in science, and focused on outcomes.
