Treatment
Palate Expanders
A device that gently widens a narrow upper jaw to create room for teeth and improve the bite.
A palate expander is an appliance that gently widens the upper jaw. It is often used in children while the jaw is still growing and easy to guide.
The expander fits across the roof of the mouth and applies gentle, gradual pressure. Small adjustments over time slowly widen the jaw to create more room.
A wider upper jaw makes space for crowded teeth and can improve how the top and bottom teeth fit together. It may also help with breathing and reduce the need for extractions later.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about palate expanders.
Children and some teens with a narrow upper jaw, crowding, or a crossbite. An exam shows whether an expander is the right step.
You feel light pressure after each adjustment, and it fades quickly. Speaking and eating feel a little different for the first few days, then become normal.
The active widening usually takes a few weeks. The expander then stays in place for several months so the new width can settle and hold.
Keeping the appliance clean matters, and you follow the simple adjustment schedule we set. Softer foods help during the first few days.
There is no downtime. Once the jaw has widened and settled, we remove the expander in a quick visit.
