I know it’s not the topic, but: please do get your kids braces. Even if there’s another major tradeoff (unless it’s even more critical.)
I’ve been in a WORLD of hurt from not having a palatal expander/braces when I needed it. I know my case is particularly bad, but please… braces are NOT just cosmetic. Not having orthodontic treatment early enough has affected my all-around health. I don’t breathe right. I don’t sleep right. I can’t eat right. I couldn’t floss my teeth properly because my teeth were so crowded that they would SHRED. FLOSS.
A lot of the procedures I’ve needed done as an adult could have been avoided with braces + an expander as a kid. It would’ve been expensive then… but let me tell you, it’s 10x more expensive now, 10x more painful now, and 10x slower now.
And I’m only 22.
Get. your. kids. orthodontic. treatment. (Unless you truly cannot afford it, in which case, god bless.)