Two of my boys had them and now my grandson is going through the process. It's definitely worth the time and money to have them. If the teeth are too big and the space too small, the teeth will come in crooked. The expanders save time and money in the long run. ( I had the same problem and they treated it by pulling teeth out to make room!!!!)If my one son didn't have the process done, he would have needed surgery to lengthen his jaw bone. All three now have beautiful teeth!