Orthodontists sometimes use palate expanders to widen the roof of the mouth to create more space for shifting teeth. They are recommended for people with crossbites (malocclusion, when the top and bottom teeth do not come together properly) and dental crowding (teeth that are competing for space grow in improperly).
The device works best in kids because the bones in a child’s mouth are still growing and their palates usually are not fused. That makes them more easily moldable.
An orthodontist usually cements an expander device to the teeth. Then, over time, you or the practitioner gradually increases the outward pressure by turning a key in the device. Treatment lasts between three and nine months.
Palate expanders may be used to create more space for permanent teeth. More commonly, though, they are used before applying braces.1
If a narrow mouth is left untreated, a person may experience dental complications such as:
- Crowded teeth
- Malocclusion
- Difficulty chewing
- Speech problems
- More dental work as an adult
Palate expanders are also known as:
- Palatal expander
- Palatial expander
- Rapid maxillary expansion