Dental and speech issues - crossbite/ narrow palate/ lisp

[AquariusHome]

My 4 3/4 yr old has a lisp.  Speech therapy at school isn't worred - she is only 4 and they don't worry about lisps until 7 or 8 or so.  However, I'm pretty sure it is because of her structural issues.  She has a lateral crossbite -- jaw shifts most of the time to the R side.  Since birth she has had assymetrical motor function but has gotten only limited therapy for it because she has never been enough delayed to qualify.  Also has a very high and narrow palate.  The dentist said to go to an orthodontist when she is 6 or 7 to see about correcting the palate and crossbite issues.  That seemed reasonable to me until now.  I figured we could correct the structural issues around the same time that speech therapy would be more interested in working on the lisp.  However, today I noticed she has 2 or 3 loose teeth.  I know loosing teeth early is common with her syndrome because of the tendency for short roots on the teeth.  But now that I am imagining adult sized teeth growing into her tiny mouth I'm not sure waiting is a good idea.  Anyone have experience in this area and can help me think through it?

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

 I have no idea what to tell you, but I wanted to bump this to get more views.  Hopefully someone with more experience can weigh in .

[Linda on the move]

I think it sounds like time for a second opinion. Our orthodontist does free evaluations -- may be you could call around and see if orthodontist work that way in other cities. Or may be take her to see a pediatric dentist. What is going on with her isn't a regular thing -- it seems like she may need to see a specialist.

FWIW, the first time we took our older DD to see an orthodontist, we were able to have a really good conversation about *when* to start correcting her teeth and *how* to proceed (she has autism). There wasn't any pressure to do anything at that time. When ended up not starting for another 2 years.