The mouth expander is a device used to increase the width of the upper jaw, which can help alleviate overbite and teeth crowding. When deciding to use an expander, you should be aware of the pros and cons, devise a schedule for wearing it, and understand how to wear it.
Pros
Can fix an overbite or teeth crowding
No surgery required
Talking with it in your mouth may be difficult, especially when you first start using it
It takes some time to see results
The materials used for mouth expanders are quite diverse, but the most common ones used today are nickel-titanium alloy and stainless steel.
Mouth expander is a device that places gentle force on the teeth to widen them and the jaw bone to separate their position. This process can be used both in children and adults, depending on the case.
The dentist applies gentle force on the teeth through a series of springs using a screw mechanism. The constant force applied by the springs will slowly move your teeth into the desired locations. The device is worn every night during sleep for a period of time that ranges between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on each individual case.
The mouth expander is a device that helps to widen the upper jaw and thus straighten the teeth. It can be used to treat two conditions:
- Crowded teeth in the upper jaw, which are often present together with an overbite.
- Crossbite, where the upper jaw is narrow compared to the lower jaw. This can cause problems such as chewing difficulties, jaw joint problems and even facial asymmetry (an uneven face).
The mouth expander is a device used by orthodontists to widen the upper jaw. It consists of a pair of “screws” that, when turned, gradually increase the expansion of the palatal area or roof of your mouth.
This device is often used in conjunction with braces or other corrective devices to help the upper teeth and lower teeth line up properly. The expander can also cause the upper jaw to grow wider, creating more space for the permanent teeth to come in.
The device is removable so you can take it out while eating and brushing your teeth. However, you should wear it as much as possible until your orthodontist tells you otherwise.
A mouth expander, also known as a palate expander, rapid palatal expander, orthodontic expander, Haas expander or hyrax expander, is a custom-made device used by an orthodontist to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better.[1]
The design of expanders has changed over time. The first expanders were designed with a screw in the middle of them to allow for expansion of the palate by turning the screw with a special key. Nowadays, all expanders are made without screws and are activated by pushing on the bonded lingual attachment.
The purpose of expansion is to make room for crowded or misplaced teeth and improve aesthetics. While it is customary for parents to turn the palatal expansion screw themselves at home for children, currently it is not recommended that parents physically turn their child’s palatal expander screw themselves. Instead it has been suggested that parents should use a passive finger pressure technique two times a day in order to activate the appliance.[2]
Teeth are the strongest part of the human body. They are made up of a hard substance called enamel, which is actually the hardest substance in the entire human body. Enamel allows us to enjoy a variety of foods from crunchy apples to chewy pizza. But what happens when our teeth aren’t as strong as we need them to be? It’s important for our teeth to be healthy and strong for many reasons. For one, strong teeth help us chew our food properly, which helps us digest it better. Strong teeth also help us produce clear speech so that others can understand us better. One of the main causes of weak teeth is a condition known as acid erosion, which occurs when acidic foods and drinks weaken the enamel on your teeth over time. The enamel on your teeth is meant to protect them from harmful substances like sugar and bacteria, but when it’s weakened by acid erosion, it can’t do its job properly. This can lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss if left untreated. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent acid erosion and keep your teeth strong and healthy!
One way is by using a mouth expander. A mouth expander is an orthodontic appliance used in orthodontic treatment to widen the upper jaw in
Dental expander is a special device used to expand the upper jaw (maxilla) in both the width and height. It is useful to treat cross bite or crowded teeth. A dental expander is most commonly applied during early adolescence when the maxillary bones are still growing. The purpose of this device is to create extra space for permanent teeth. Expanders are commonly used in children with “crossbites”, which means that some of their upper teeth are located inside their lower teeth, rather than outside them as they should be. Crossbite can cause problems with chewing, speaking and even facial development.
Dental expanders can be removable or fixed:
Removable expander – these are used to expand only the width of the upper jaw. Removable expanders are attached to the palatal portion of the molar bands using acrylic resin and removed by the patient at regular intervals for adjustment by the orthodontist.
Fixed expander – these cover a larger area and are usually used to correct a more serious cross bite condition, or one that may also involve a vertical component (lower jaw too far back). The appliance consists of a wire fixed on each molar band which runs across the roof of the mouth, joining in the middle where there is an acrylic
How Painful is a Palate Expander?

I have been wearing a palette expander for about a month now and although the pain has gone down it’s still very painful. Before I got my palate expander, my orthodontist told me that I would be able to eat whatever I wanted. That’s not true!
It hurts so much to eat and I can’t bite on anything and I can’t chew on anything. It really hurts when you eat so you either have to take the palate expander out or just not eat at all.
I can’t wait until I get my braces off so that I don’t have to deal with this anymore!!
I know what you’re thinking: “Why are you even asking this question? You’ve just had your braces put on!”
The truth is, there are some people who ask me how painful a palate expander is without ever having had one themselves. And those people usually want to know if it’s worth going through the pain of having one.
invented by Dr. William R. Proffit, a palate expander is used to widen the upper jaw (maxilla). This procedure is often done for kids who have an underdeveloped upper jaw or for kids whose upper jaw has stopped growing and is too narrow for the lower jaw.
If you’ve never had a palate expander before, you’re probably wondering how painful it is going to be. The simple answer is it’s not too bad if you follow Dr. Gill’s instructions on how to properly use your new device.
A palate expander is a device that is used to widen the upper jaw. It works by applying gentle pressure on the molars, and after a period of time, this causes the bone between them to be resorbed, allowing the jaw to widen.
A palate expander is usually only worn for a few months, although the exact length of time depends on the severity of your case and how compliant you are with wearing it. The main reason for wearing one is to correct a cross bite, which means that your upper teeth bite inside your lower teeth.
A palate expander will not hurt if it is adjusted correctly by an orthodontist. If it does cause you discomfort then you should go back to have it checked out. It could mean that there is not enough room in your mouth to fit the expander and this would mean that you are not suitable for treatment with an expander alone.
The only thing that I can think of why someone might say that it hurts is if they have a permanent retainer bonded to their lower teeth. If this is present then the expander may feel like it’s pushing against the backside of the retainer, which can be uncomfortable. It may even cause some discomfort when biting down if there isn’t enough
I’m going to be getting a palate expander in March and I was wondering if they hurt very badly. My mom says it’s not bad, but I’ve heard people say otherwise, so I was just wondering.
The primary purpose of a palate expander is to make the upper jaw wider. This is done by moving the two halves of the upper jaw apart at a gradual rate. By doing this, the bone between the left and right halves of your upper jaw will slowly grow new bone in the middle, making the entire upper jaw wider.
It sounds horrible, but it’s actually not that painful! When you first get your expander, it may feel a little weird or uncomfortable because it is something new in your mouth, but this feeling goes away quickly.
As you turn the key to widen your expander (your orthodontist will show you how), you will feel some pressure and discomfort for a few days. Tylenol or Advil will take care of this.
The actual placement of the appliance is very quick and painless, but you may experience discomfort when it’s first placed. The most common side effects are a mild headache that goes away after a few days, and swelling or tenderness of the gums around the appliance.
It is important to remember that these symptoms are normal, and they mean that your palate expander is working properly. However, if you experience any of these symptoms for more than a week, call your orthodontist.
In some cases, your orthodontist will ask you to wear the appliance for 24 hours before beginning the expansion process. This means that for the first day after it’s placed, there will be no actual pressure on your palate. Once this period has passed, you can turn the appliance to expand your palate by turning it with a key.
I’ve never heard a patient describe it as painful, but “uncomfortable” may be the best description. It will feel weird for a couple days and there’s not much to do about that. You can take something for the discomfort if you want, but it’s probably not necessary unless you’re sensitive to sensations in your mouth.
Once you get used to it, it doesn’t bother you. The device does not physically hurt and is not painful, but there may be some slight discomfort.
Following these guidelines will help make your adjustment period easier:
- Avoid very hard foods until your teeth begin to feel comfortable with the expander in place.
- When brushing your teeth, spend extra time brushing around the edges of the expander by your gums until they feel less sensitive.
- If the expander seems a bit loose after the first day or two, don’t worry; this is normal and will disappear quickly as the gums around your teeth “settle down.”
How Long do Mouth Expanders Stay in?

Mouth expanders are typically worn for a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 12 months. Your orthodontist and dental team will be able to advise you on how long you will need to wear your mouth expander. Mouth expanders come in different shapes and sizes, depending on how much expansion is required.
Western Orthodontics can help you with all your orthodontic needs. To find out more about mouth expanders and other orthodontic options, call Western Orthodontics today on (03) 9397 5586 or book an appointment online.
The length of time you’ll need to wear a dental expander varies from patient to patient. It depends on how much space your teeth need to move, and how quickly they move into the new positions.
On average, dental expanders stay in for three months. However, some patients may need to wear their palatal expanders for up to 9 months, or even longer.
It’s important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions regarding wearing your expander. Not wearing it for the prescribed amount of time can cause your treatment plan to be ineffective or require more time in braces than initially planned.
If you are unsure about the proper use of your palatal expander, call your orthodontist’s office and speak with one of our staff members.
When the expander is put in your mouth, there will be bands or wires on either side of your mouth that will be connected to a screw in the middle.
As the screw is turned, it will push the two sides apart and create space for new teeth. This is called expansion.
The screw needs to be turned every day or every few days by your parent or guardian.
You can do this at home, after school or at bedtime.
It’s important to work with your orthodontist to determine how long you’ll need to wear your expander and when you’ll need to come in for adjustments.
How much you turn the screw will depend on what type of expander you have and what your orthodontist recommends.
If you’re unsure of how much to turn it, call your dentist or orthodontist right away.
A mouth expander is a metal appliance that your dentist attaches to the back of your molars. The expander widens the arch of your upper or lower teeth, or both arches.
The metal brackets on either side of your molars have a screw in the middle. Your dentist turns this screw every day to widen your dental arches and make more space for crowded teeth. A new expander takes about two weeks to expand the mouth fully. After that, you wear it for another six months until your jawbone hardens and holds its new form.
When you first get your expander, your orthodontist will cement it into place in the roof of your mouth. You’ll need to wear it until he tells you otherwise.
You’ll probably have to wear your expander for 6 months or more, depending on what your orthodontist is trying to achieve. He might ask you to come back in a few weeks so he can adjust the screws and widen it.
Adjusting the expander usually hurts a bit, but only for a few minutes. You’ll also need to wear rubber bands on your teeth for a while. This helps the teeth move into their new position.
If you have teeth that are crooked or crowded, your orthodontist may recommend a palatal expander to widen your upper jaw. This device fits into the roof of your mouth and slowly expands it over time, giving you an attractive smile without having to extract any of your teeth. If you’re wondering how long this process will take, you’ll be happy to know it’s usually a matter of weeks rather than months.
A palatal expander can widen your upper jaw in just a few weeks.
How Palatal Expanders Work
Palatal expanders work by using a small screw in the middle of the device to widen the palate gradually over time. It’s important that you use it as directed in order to achieve the best results, so follow these steps each day:
Your orthodontist will tell you how many times per day to turn the screw on your palatal expander.
Turning Your Palatal Expander Key
Before turning your expander key, brush your teeth and floss so food particles don’t get stuck in your braces. Turn the key according to directions provided by your orthodontist — usually once per day until they say otherwise. The amount of time it takes to turn it depends on how much expansion is
The duration of the crossbite correction with a palatal expander depends on the severity of the problem and your child’s age, but in general, if you keep to your doctor’s schedule, the appliance will be removed after four to 12 months.
A palatal expander is an orthodontic device that fits inside your mouth and gradually widens the upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment screw is turned.
The size of your jaw is determined by genetics. If the width of your upper jaw is too narrow for your lower jaw or teeth, this can cause a condition known as crossbite. A crossbite can occur on one or both sides of the mouth and results in teeth that are crowded, crooked or do not come together correctly. Your child might also have an incorrect bite, where the top teeth do not overlap the bottom teeth at all when biting down.
Problems caused by crossbites can become worse over time if left untreated. They can also lead to:
difficulty chewing
difficulty speaking
tooth decay and gum disease
damage to tooth enamel due to teeth grinding
jaw joint pain