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The Orthodontic Palate Expander For Jaw Expansion

At StarBrite Dental, we can help both children and adults with a palatal expander. Why is this needed? What does a palatal expander do? We will explain what this treatment does, why it’s needed and how it can prevent or address problems with the alignment of teeth and even breathing. Then you can make an educated decision about your or your child’s care.

A close up of a person 's mouth with braces and a dental mirror.

What is a Palatal Expander

A palatal expander is a dental appliance Dr. Maryam Seifi provides to expand the width of the palate (the roof of your mouth) and the upper jaw. Many people have upper jaws that are narrower or more wedge-shaped than their rounder lower jaws. An improperly shaped upper jaw can have several negative effects, including:


  • A child can lack the space for all their teeth to come in
  • The teeth can be too crowded for traditional orthodontic treatment to succeed - which can result in extraction of healthy teeth
  • The person may suffer from crossbite, where the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside of them
  • Teeth may chip or crack from meeting in the wrong places
  • The person may suffer from headaches or TMJ disorders
  • A narrowed palate can also cause an airway obstruction, resulting in sleep apnea
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A person is getting their teeth examined by a dentist.

What Can a Palatal Expander Accomplish?

When Dr. Seifi treats adults or children with a palatal expander, the goal is to correct the shape and width of the upper jaw as it relates to the size, shape and width of the lower jaw. The upper jaw consists of the bone forming the palate plus the bone of the upper jaw that holds all the teeth. Together, these sections of bone are called the maxilla. 

In children, a palatal expander can improve the following situations:

  • Resolving crowding

    Once the palate has expanded, a child’s permanent teeth will have room to come in. The teeth will be more likely to erupt in better alignment when the jaw is wide enough. Even if the teeth don’t come in completely straight, the orthodontic treatment that follows is likely to be simpler and proceed more easily. 

  • Preventing impactions

    This palate expansion means that teeth that might have been impacted can now erupt into or near their proper positions. When the teeth are crowded, it is not uncommon for the canine teeth (also called the eye teeth) to be impacted, requiring lengthy orthodontic treatment or surgery to correct. 

  • Correcting crossbite

    When crossbite is treated with a palatal expander, the upper teeth will finally bite down just outside the lower teeth on either side, as they are supposed to. 

  • Correcting sleep apnea

    For adults and children, adjusting the shape of the upper jaw can help open the person’s airway while they are asleep. This structural change can eliminate sleep apnea. 

  • Improving occlusion

    The occlusion—the way the upper and lower teeth meet—can be corrected with a palatal expander. This means that the upper and lower teeth finally meet correctly which eliminates stress on the teeth that can result in chipped or cracked teeth.

  • Resolving TMD

    TMD or temporomandibular disorders can result from poor alignment of the jaws. Expansion of the upper jaw can ease this joint into a more natural position and resolve pain, deterioration of the joint, headaches and other problems.

"Starbrite Dental is amazing! From the front office staff to the hygienist and the other technical staff to Dr. Seifi, the whole experience has been wonderful! After she developed a treatment plan for me, Dr. Seifi sat snd carefully went over every facet of the plan. She was open to all my questions and concerns; she put me at ease, calming all my fears! There is clearly a mutual respect among the staff; patients are treated with the utmost respect and friendliness…"

- Ilene B.

★★★★★

Palatal Expander Treatment for Children

In most cases, it’s children who receive this treatment in the years before puberty begins. This is because the maxilla (upper jaw) bone has not yet fully formed. It is relatively easy and quick to expand it with a dental appliance. This is why it is important for children to receive an orthodontic evaluation when they are 7 or 8 years old, before their permanent teeth have fully come in. Or, if you observe that your child’s teeth are coming in crooked, you should seek an orthodontic evaluation. 


With Dr. Seifi’s extensive education and experience providing palatal expansion treatment, she can determine if your child’s jaw will develop properly or if it needs reshaping. The earlier this treatment can be started the better. Adjusting the width of this bone early can prevent the need for jaw-widening surgery later.


Most patients are sent home with a palatal expansion appliance attached to their back teeth and a special key that fits into an opening in the mouth expander. Dr. Seifi also instructs patients to fit the key into the opening and make a very small change in the expander each day. This slight expansion each day exerts pressure on the maxilla and pushes the two halves of the bone outward. Achieving the right amount of expansion may take three to six months. This orthodontic expander is generally left in place for a period afterwards so that new bone can fill the newly-opened space. 

A before and after photo of a young man 's teeth
A poster showing a person 's teeth before and after treatment

Palate Expander for Adults

It is also possible for older children and adults to benefit from this treatment. The procedure and expectations are somewhat different when the maxilla bone has already fused and solidified. But this bone can still respond to treatment with a palatal expander.


Expansion will take place more slowly but problems of a poorly aligned bite, narrowed airway or incomplete forward facial growth can be resolved with this treatment. Palate expanders offer a non-invasive alternative to orthognathic jaw surgery. 

Dr. Seifi’s Extensive Experience

Dr. Maryam Seifi has spent years studying and treating patients with palatal expanders. She is an expert at diagnosing problems that perhaps have been missed for years. She can take you through this precise process to reshape your or your child’s facial and jaw structure. 

Types of Palatal Expanders

  • Rapid Palatal Expander: A fixed device used for children, for example, a Hyrex Expander.
  • Removable Palatal Expander: When only minor changes are needed.
  • Vivos Oral Appliance: Effective for both adults and children.


Permanent palate expansion is achievable for both kids and adults. If you or your child are experiencing any of the issues covered above, we urge you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi of Rockville, Maryland, to put her experience and expertise to work for you. 

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