Palatal expanders
for a growing smile
Palatal expanders gently widen a narrow upper jaw while your child is still growing - creating room for adult teeth and helping the bite fit together. It’s a common part of early treatment, planned and monitored by one of the Specialist Orthodontists at Auckland City Orthodontics.
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What is a
palatal expander?
A palatal expander is a small appliance fitted to the upper teeth that widens the jaw a tiny, comfortable amount at a time. Until the mid-teens, the roof of the mouth is still in two halves, so gently guiding them apart while your child grows is far simpler than waiting until later.
Because it works with your child’s natural growth, an expander can achieve things that would be much harder - and sometimes only possible with surgery - once growth has finished.
Why might my
child need one?
Not every child needs a palatal expander - but where the upper jaw is narrow, it can make a real difference. Your orthodontist might suggest one to:
- Correct a crossbite, where the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth
- Create space for crowded adult teeth to come through
- Broaden a narrow smile and improve how the bite fits together
- Reduce the need for extractions or longer treatment later on
An expander is often used alongside, or ahead of, braces as part of a wider treatment plan.
What to expect
Fitting an expander is quick and painless - there are no injections, and your child goes home the same day. After that, it’s a simple routine at home, with occasional check-ups so we can follow progress.
Most children settle in within a week, and your orthodontist will tailor every step to your child.
Fitting
The expander is attached to the back upper teeth and sits snugly against the roof of the mouth. It’s quick, and there are no injections.
Activating
You turn a small key a tiny amount each day, following the schedule we set - we’ll show you exactly how at the fitting.
Settling & holding
A slight lisp or extra saliva for a few days is normal and soon passes. Once the width is right, the expander stays in for several months while new bone forms.
Palatal expander FAQs
A palatal expander gently widens the upper jaw. In a child who’s still growing, the palate is still in two halves, so a small, steady amount of pressure can create more room - which can help with crowding, a crossbite or a narrow smile.
It shouldn’t be painful. Most children feel a little pressure or tingling around the nose and upper teeth for a few minutes after each adjustment, and this settles quickly. Any tenderness usually eases with soft foods.
It varies by child. The active widening usually takes a few weeks, and the expander is then left in place for several months while new bone settles and stabilises. Your orthodontist will give you a timeframe for your child.
For the first few days your child may notice a slight lisp or a little more saliva while they get used to it. This almost always settles within a week or so, and eating soon feels normal again.
The expander is widened a tiny amount using a small key, following the schedule your orthodontist sets - often once or twice a day. We show you exactly how at the fitting, and we’re only a phone call away if you’re unsure.
Expansion is most straightforward while a child is still growing. In adults the palate has usually fused, so we use a different approach - MARPE - to achieve skeletal expansion, avoiding surgery in suitable cases.
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Could your child benefit
from an expander?
The only way to know is a proper assessment. Book a consultation and one of our Specialist Orthodontists will check how your child’s upper jaw is developing and explain whether an expander would help - and when. You can book at any of our four Auckland clinics, or start with a free virtual consultation.
BOOK A CONSULTATION*Terms and conditions apply. Some consultations - including some for children under 12, referrals, transfers and second opinions - attract a $250 fee.