Palatal Expander

The upper jaw bone (maxillae) is made up of two bones connected by a suture in the middle. This suture does not close until the early teenage years. Therefore, the palatal expander can be used to widen the upper jaw bones to correct crowding, arch constriction, and crossbites.

This appliance will be turned once a day for a prescribed amount of turns. During this process a gap will open between the two front teeth as the suture is widened. This gap will close by itself as soon as the expansion is completed. After expansion, the expander must stay in place for 6 months for the upper jaw bones to grow back together and form a new suture.