Ready to start your treatment? Schedule an appointment today to learn how a palatal expander can help improve your child’s dental health.
Rapid Palatal Expander
Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) or Expander is an orthodontic appliance used to widen upper jaw. The appliance generates gentle pressure on jaw bones allowing normal skeletal and dental development as well as airway. There are different variations of expander according to different needs:
Crossbite Correction
Expands the upper jaw to prevent misalignment and jaw displacement caused by a narrow palate.
Underbite Correction
Prevents lower jaw advancement and severe malocclusion.
Supports Healthy Jaw Growth
Helps guide proper jaw development, preventing future orthodontic complications.
Reduces Crowding
Creates space for proper eruption of upper teeth, improving overall alignment.
Improves Breathing
Widening the palate opens up nasal passages, reducing mouth breathing and enhancing airflow.
Variations of Expander:
- Fixed vs Removable depending on each child’s needs
- Expander + Sleep device for skeletal underbite correction
- Habit breaker for tongue or thumb habit correction
Ask Dr. Choi
Q. What is the best age to get a palatal expander?
A. First orthodontic evaluation should be no later than age 7 by American Association of Orthodontics. After the initial orthodontic evaluation, if early (interceptive) treatment is decided, it should start right away. Otherwise, I will let you know the next steps and time line.
Q. How does a palatal expander work?
A. The upper jaw is widened while normal growth period. If not enough widening is noticed, a palatal expander is needed to assist the skeletal expansion before the upper jaw growth completion.
Q. Are expander and braces safe for kids?
A. Yes, they are designed to correct jaw and dentition of kids. If any special considerations should be taken, I will create and modify the plan accordingly.
Q. Are there different types of expander?
A. Yes, each expander is designed depending on the specific problems to be addressed. Some are removable and some are fixed on teeth (non-removable).
Q. How long do you keep an expander?
A. It depends on the treatment type but usually 6-12 months.
Q. Does expander hurt?
A. Kids are very adaptable. First 1-2 days, they may complain of discomfort of having it inside the mouth, difficulty eating and talking but they become adjusted soon and feel comfortable.
Q. How often do I need to see the orthodontist?
A. After the initial installment it is usually every 3-6 weeks.
Q. What do I have to do as a parent?
A. Expander is turned (widening process) at home. I will go over the instructions thoroughly and it is very easy to do.
Q. Is there an expander for the lower jaw?
A. Unlike the upper jaw, lower jaw cannot be widened. However, as the upper jaw becomes wider, more room is gained for the lower dental arch, relieving crowding of teeth.
Q. What’s after the expander?
A. When the early (interceptive) treatment is completed, the next phase is retention until it is time for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Removable night time retainer is given and it is very important to wear it to prevent any relapse.
Ask Dr. Choi
Q. What is the best age to get a palatal expander?
A. First orthodontic evaluation should be no later than age 7 by American Association of Orthodontics. After the initial orthodontic evaluation, if early (interceptive) treatment is decided, it should start right away. Otherwise, I will let you know the next steps and time line.
Q. How does a palatal expander work?
A. The upper jaw is widened while normal growth period. If not enough widening is noticed, a palatal expander is needed to assist the skeletal expansion before the upper jaw growth completion.
Q. Are expander and braces safe for kids?
A. Yes, they are designed to correct jaw and dentition of kids. If any special considerations should be taken, I will create and modify the plan accordingly.
Q. Are there different types of expander?
A. Yes, each expander is designed depending on the specific problems to be addressed. Some are removable and some are fixed on teeth (non-removable).
Q. How long do you keep an expander?
A. It depends on the treatment type but usually 6-12 months.
Q. Does expander hurt?
A. Kids are very adaptable. First 1-2 days, they may complain of discomfort of having it inside the mouth, difficulty eating and talking but they become adjusted soon and feel comfortable.
Q. How often do I need to see the orthodontist?
A. After the initial installment it is usually every 3-6 weeks.
Q. What do I have to do as a parent?
A. Expander is turned (widening process) at home. I will go over the instructions thoroughly and it is very easy to do.
Q. Is there an expander for the lower jaw?
A. Unlike the upper jaw, lower jaw cannot be widened. However, as the upper jaw becomes wider, more room is gained for the lower dental arch, relieving crowding of teeth.
Q. What’s after the expander?
A. When the early (interceptive) treatment is completed, the next phase is retention until it is time for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Removable night time retainer is given and it is very important to wear it to prevent any relapse.
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