What Is an Orthodontic Expander?
An orthodontic expander is a device placed against the upper palate in the mouth. It places gentle pressure on the upper molars in order to expand the upper jaw and make the upper and lower teeth fit together better. Periodically, the orthodontist will adjust the expander to expand the jaw further until the desired width is reached. After that, the patient wears the expander for a few months to make the shift more permanent and to prevent the jaw from returning to its original state. In many cases, the orthodontic palate expander precedes braces.
