What Can I Expect from a Palate Expander?

A palate expander is for children who need more space in their mouth for their teeth to come in properly. If their palate is too small, they can end up with anything from crowded teeth to obstructed breathing. Here, we’ll look at how palate expanders are supposed to work and what you can realistically expect from them.

What Does a Palate Expander Do?

A palate expander widens the upper jaw, also known as the palate, and can be recommended to children as young as 7. An orthodontist in Hackensack, NJ might recommend this preventive device to reduce the odds of future orthodontic treatments, like braces or clear aligners.

Some kids may only need to wear an expander for a few weeks while others may need to wear it for several months up to a year. Typically the younger a child is, the less time it will take. There are a few types of palate expanders, but the most common one relies on a central screw that’s turned slightly every day to place gentle pressure on the mouth to open up.

Do Palate Expanders Work?

Palate expanders are remarkably effective for young kids. As long as the jawbone is still developing, which typically stops around age 14, you can expect strong results.

Can Palate Expanders Prevent Braces?

The answer depends on a child’s oral anatomy. Palate expanders can’t move teeth, but they can give teeth the space they need to properly erupt. If you have questions about prevention, contact State Street Smiles to see if this treatment can help you save money and time down the line. Here, we combine pediatric dentistry in Hackensack, NJ and orthodontic treatments for comprehensive dental care.