What Are Expanders for Teeth & Why Are They Used?

Dental expanders are oral devices used in orthodontics to gradually widen the upper jaw. These appliances apply gentle, continuous pressure to create more space within the dental arch. They address alignment issues, improving oral health and function.

Why Dental Expanders Are Used

Dental expanders correct structural issues, particularly a narrow upper jaw. This often leads to dental crowding, where insufficient space prevents permanent teeth from aligning properly, sometimes requiring extractions.

Expanders also address crossbites, where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. A narrow palate can cause an improper bite, affecting chewing and leading to uneven tooth wear or jaw discomfort.

Widening the upper jaw creates room for teeth to erupt and move into ideal positions. This establishes a balanced bite, ensuring upper and lower teeth meet effectively.

Different Types and How They Function

Several types of dental expanders are designed to suit varying orthodontic needs and patient ages. The Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) is a fixed appliance attached to the upper molars. It has a central screw turned daily to exert outward force, gradually separating the upper jaw.

This daily activation stimulates bone formation in the mid-palatal suture. RPEs achieve widening over three to six months.

Slow palatal expanders apply lighter forces over a longer duration, with weekly adjustments. These fixed or removable devices aim for a gradual response from palatal tissues. Removable expanders, similar to retainers, are used for minor expansion and can be taken out for cleaning or eating.

For mature adolescents and adults with fused palatal sutures, implant-supported expanders or surgically assisted rapid palatal expanders (SARPE) are used. These methods apply direct force to the bone, enabling skeletal expansion where traditional expanders would cause dental tipping.

What to Expect During Treatment

An orthodontist custom fits and places the dental expander. Patients may experience pressure or mild discomfort initially and during activations. This subsides within a few days or a week.

Activation involves turning a small key in the expander’s central screw, as instructed by the orthodontist. A temporary gap may appear between the two front teeth, indicating expansion is progressing.

Patients may notice temporary speech changes, like a slight lisp, or increased saliva production. These effects are brief, and most adapt to speaking and eating with the expander within a week or two.

Maintain thorough oral hygiene to prevent food accumulation around the device. The active expansion phase lasts a few weeks to several months, followed by a retention period for new bone to solidify the jaw.

Long-Term Advantages of Expansion

Palatal expansion offers long-term advantages. It improves bite alignment, contributing to more efficient chewing.

Creating space in the upper jaw prevents severe dental crowding, reducing the need for tooth extractions. This space also allows permanent teeth to erupt into favorable positions.

Expansion contributes to improved facial symmetry. Furthermore, by widening the upper jaw, expanders can increase nasal passage volume, enhancing nasal breathing and alleviating snoring or sleep-disordered breathing.