Dr. King Answers: What Is an Expander, and What Is It Used For?

Q: My friend’s young son recently got an “expander.” What is this, and what is it used for?

A palatal expander is an orthodontic appliance used to widen
the patient's upper jaw bone. [Wikimedia Commons]

A: Great question! A palatal expander -- also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander -- is an orthodontic appliance used to widen the patient's upper jaw bone.

The classic expander used a turn key, and is quite bulky and painful. At King Orthodontics, we use a more modern, streamlined, custom and comfortable expander -- with no turn key needed.

As an expander works, the maxilla [upper jaw bone] and arch of teeth are slowing widened.  Expanders are superb for growing patients, but will not safely work for non-growing adults.  Expansion usually takes about 6-9 months, and the results are often dramatic!

Keep smiling, and see you soon.

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SOURCE: Wikipedia [image]