---
title: "What Is Palatal expander? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A palatal expander is a device that sits across the roof of the mouth and gradually widens a narrow upper jaw."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/palatal-expander
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Orthodontics

# Palatal expander

A palatal expander is a device that sits across the roof of the mouth and gradually widens a narrow upper jaw.

The upper jaw is made of two halves joined at a seam. In children, the seam is still flexible. A palatal expander uses a small screw that is turned a little each day to widen the jaw gently. Cleveland Clinic says a palate expander is an oral device used to widen a narrow upper jaw and is most commonly used in children. It is used for a crossbite or for crowded teeth, and it makes room for adult teeth. Treatment lasts several months, and the expander may stay on for a time after. Adults with fully grown bone may need surgery to assist. Your dentist will talk with you about whether it fits. See [crossbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crossbite), [palate](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/palate), and [interceptive orthodontics](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/interceptive-orthodontics).

## Related terms

-   [Crossbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crossbite)
-   [Palate](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/palate)
-   [Interceptive orthodontics](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/interceptive-orthodontics)
-   [Crowded teeth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crowded-teeth)
-   [Malocclusion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/malocclusion)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Palate Expander: Uses, Types & Adjusting](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23502-palate-expander)

## Ready when you are

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