7–10 years
While the growth center of the upper jaw is still open.
Weeks of turns
Then the appliance stays in place to hold the new width while bone fills in.
Twice a day
A small key, a quarter turn — we show you how before you start.
Widening the upper jaw while growth can still be guided
A narrow upper jaw is not simply a cosmetic matter. When the upper arch is too narrow for the lower, the upper teeth bite inside the lower ones — a crossbite — and the airway is often narrower than it should be. A palatal expander applies gentle, controlled pressure across the roof of the mouth to widen the arch.
It works because the suture between the two halves of the upper jaw has not yet fused. After growth finishes, that same widening usually requires surgery, which is why timing matters.
- A fixed appliance — nothing to remember to wear
- Parents turn it at home, twice a day, with a small key
- Often used alongside Invisalign First® or braces
- Holding period afterwards while new bone fills the gap
Ask about your child's arch
Whether an expander is appropriate depends on the width of the arch, the way the back teeth meet, and how much growth is left. A screening with photographs and a scan answers it.
- Complimentary screening — no charge
- A written plan with fees before you decide
- Dr. Roark sees every patient herself
Message sent
We have it, and a reply will come to your email — usually the same or next business day. For anything urgent, call (615) 814-4884.
Not sure which treatment you need?
The free exam includes a digital scan and a clear recommendation — including, sometimes, that nothing is needed yet.