Palate expanders: how they work, how long, and cost

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

A palate expander is an orthodontic device that widens a narrow upper jaw, most often in growing children. It usually takes a few months to widen the jaw and then stays in a few months more while the bone settles. Its price is usually part of the overall orthodontic fee, so ask for it on the written quote.

What a palate expander is

The palate is the roof of your mouth. It has two halves joined in the middle by a seam called a suture. A palate expander sits across the roof of the mouth and puts gentle, steady pressure on both sides, slowly pushing the two halves apart; new bone then fills the space (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO describes the device as attached to the upper back teeth, and says some expanders are widened by turning a small screw while others use built-in springs or wires (AAO).

The point is space. A wider upper jaw gives the orthodontist room to correct crowding, overlapping teeth and bite problems (Cleveland Clinic). Braces can move teeth, but they can't move the jawbone, which is why an expander is used when the problem is the width of the jaw itself (Cleveland Clinic).

Why an orthodontist recommends one

Not everyone needs an expander. The AAO says they're typically used for more severe bite problems or to guide jaw development so problems don't get worse (AAO). Common reasons include:

• Crossbite: upper teeth that sit inside the lower teeth when the jaws close. Widening the bone can prevent uneven wear, gum recession and uneven jaw growth (AAO).
• Severe crowding: a narrow jaw without enough room for the teeth (AAO).
• Impacted teeth: permanent teeth blocked from coming in properly (AAO).
• Breathing problems: sometimes prescribed because widening the jaw also widens the nasal floor, which can improve airflow (AAO).

Types of palate expander

Cleveland Clinic lists four common types (Cleveland Clinic):

A rapid expander can widen the jaw by about 0.5 millimeters a day (Cleveland Clinic). Your orthodontist gives you a schedule for turning it and monitors progress at regular visits (AAO).

How long you wear a palate expander

It depends on age, how much widening is needed and how closely the instructions are followed (Cleveland Clinic). Cleveland Clinic gives these examples:

• An 8-year-old may only need a month or two to widen the palate.
• Most children reach the desired result in 2 to 3 months.
• Teens and adults, whose bones are fully developed, can need several months to a year or longer.
• Once the jaw is wide enough, the expander usually stays in for another four to six months so the bone can fuse and strengthen.

After that, braces or aligners usually finish lining up the teeth (AAO). That's why many quotes treat the expander as the first phase of a longer plan.

How much a palate expander costs

We haven't found a reliable published price range for palate expanders, so we don't quote one. Figures you'll see online usually come from individual practices or unsourced estimates. What we can say from published sources:

• It's often part of a bigger fee. An expander is commonly the first phase of treatment, followed by braces or aligners (AAO). Ask whether the quote covers one phase or both, because two phases can mean two fees.
• Insurance may count both phases together. In Delta Dental of Virginia's plans, both phases of two-phase treatment are limited to the one lifetime orthodontic maximum (Delta Dental of Virginia).
• The type matters. Surgically assisted and implant-supported expanders involve an oral surgeon or periodontist (Cleveland Clinic), so ask whether that specialist bills separately.
• Braces afterward are the bigger cost. Metal braces typically cost $3,000 to $7,000 (CareCredit data, 2022). See braces cost for kids.

Most AAO orthodontists offer low-cost or free first consultations (AAO), so you can get the expander priced on paper before you commit, and compare a second opinion.

Living with a palate expander

Expect some minor discomfort for the first few days, and sometimes after turning the key. Cleveland Clinic says over-the-counter pain relievers can help, and an expander shouldn't cause severe pain; call the orthodontist if it does (Cleveland Clinic). Most patients describe pressure or mild soreness rather than sharp pain (AAO). Speech can be affected for a while as the tongue gets used to the device (AAO).

A small gap can open between the front teeth as the jaw widens; braces close it later (Cleveland Clinic). Food and plaque can collect on the expander and cause a bad taste or smell, so clean it carefully every day (Cleveland Clinic).

Eating and cleaning with an expander

The AAO suggests starting with softer foods, because sticky or hard foods can be difficult to manage and can damage the appliance (AAO). Food gets trapped around an expander, so brush carefully around it; many patients find a water flosser helpful for rinsing (AAO). Some people also notice extra saliva and temporary speech changes at first, which usually improve as the mouth adapts (AAO).

Regular visits let the orthodontist check the expander is working as planned (AAO). Follow the adjustment schedule your orthodontist gives you exactly (AAO), and call the office if you miss a turn.

Palate expanders for adults

Adults can have an expander, but it takes longer because adult bones are fully formed (Cleveland Clinic), and moderate to severe adult cases may need a surgically assisted or implant-supported design (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO notes that if a narrow palate isn't corrected while a child is still growing, surgery may be needed in adulthood to widen it (AAO). That's one reason the AAO recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7.

Questions to ask the orthodontist

• Why does my child need an expander, and what happens if we wait?
• Which type is it, how often do we turn it, and how long will it stay in?
• Is the expander included in the treatment fee, or priced separately?
• Is this one phase or two, and what will each phase cost?
• How does our insurance pay for an expander and the braces that follow?