---
title: "Palate Expander: How It Works, Adult Options and Cost"
description: "What a palate expander does, how turning works, how long it stays in, whether adults can have one, what it feels like and typical London fees for 2026."
canonical: https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/palate-expander
last_updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Palate Expander: How It Works, Adult Options and Cost

Updated 21 October 2026. By Orthodontists London.

Short answer

## What does a palate expander do?

A palate expander widens a narrow upper jaw by gently separating the two halves of the palate. It is turned a little each day for about 2 to 4 weeks, then left in for 3 to 6 months while bone fills in. It works best in children; adults usually need a mini-screw or surgically assisted expander.

The upper jaw is made of two bones joined down the middle of the roof of the mouth by a seam called the mid-palatal suture. In children and young teenagers that seam has not yet fused, which means the jaw can be widened by applying steady outward pressure. A palate expander does exactly that, and it is one of the few orthodontic appliances that changes the shape of the bone itself rather than just moving teeth. We recommend expanders when the upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw or for the teeth that need to fit into it.

| Expander type | How it is held | Who it suits | Typical active phase | Typical total wear |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rapid palatal expander (RPE, Hyrax) | Bands cemented to upper back teeth | Children and young teenagers | 2–4 weeks | 4–7 months |
| Slow expander (quad helix) | Bands on molars, wire spring | Younger children, mild narrowing | Gradual over months | 6–12 months |
| Removable expansion plate | Clips onto teeth | Mild cases, good compliance | Months | 6–12 months |
| Mini-screw supported expander (MARPE) | Small screws in the palate | Older teenagers and some adults | 4–8 weeks | 6–9 months |
| Surgically assisted expansion (SARPE) | Expander plus minor surgery | Adults with fused sutures | Several weeks | 6–9 months, then braces |

## Why would someone need a palate expander?

The most common reasons are:

- **Posterior crossbite**: when the upper back teeth sit inside the lower back teeth, often because the upper jaw is narrow. See our guide to [crossbite treatment](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/crossbite-treatment).

- **Crowding**: widening the jaw creates room for adult teeth that would otherwise be crooked, sometimes avoiding extractions.

- **Impacted canines**: making space can help an upper canine come through in the right place.

- **Underbite in children**: an expander is often combined with a facemask to encourage the upper jaw forward. See [underbite correction](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/underbite-correction).

- **Narrow smile**: a narrow arch can leave dark spaces at the corners of the mouth.

Compare typical fees for every treatment, in central and outer London, in our [London Invisalign and braces price index](https://orthodontistslondon.com/tools/london-invisalign-braces-price-index).

## How does a palate expander work?

A rapid expander has a small screw in the middle, connected to bands or a framework on the upper back teeth. A key is inserted into a hole in the screw and pushed towards the back of the mouth, turning it a fraction of a millimetre. Each turn pushes the two halves of the jaw apart slightly. Over a few weeks the suture opens and the upper jaw widens.

Once the planned width is reached, turning stops. The expander is left in place, now acting as a retainer, while new bone forms in the gap. If it were removed too early, the jaw would tend to narrow again.

## What does a palate expander feel like?

Most children describe a tight feeling across the teeth, nose and cheekbones for a few minutes after each turn. Other things to expect in the first week:

- Speech sounds slightly different, especially "s" and "th"

- More saliva than usual and some difficulty swallowing at first

- Food can collect around the appliance, so rinsing after meals helps

- A gap opens between the upper front teeth, often within a week or two

These effects usually fade within days as the tongue adapts. Soft foods help at the start, and sticky or hard foods should be avoided for the whole time the expander is in.

## How do you turn a palate expander?

The orthodontist will show you exactly how, and give you a written schedule. Typically:

1. Have your child lie down or tilt their head back in good light.

2. Insert the key into the front hole of the screw.

3. Push the key towards the back of the mouth until the next hole appears.

4. Remove the key backwards and down, without pulling forward.

5. Record the turn on the chart.

Most schedules are one or two turns a day. Never make extra turns to catch up without checking with the practice.

## Can adults have a palate expander?

In most adults the mid-palatal suture has fused, so a conventional expander mainly tips the back teeth outwards rather than widening the bone. That can cause gum recession and is not stable. Adult options are:

- **Mini-screw assisted expansion (MARPE)**: small titanium screws anchor the expander to the palate bone, applying force directly to the suture. It can work in older teenagers and some adults.

- **Surgically assisted expansion (SARPE)**: a minor operation weakens the suture so a conventional expander can widen the jaw, followed by braces.

- **Dental expansion with aligners or braces**: for mild narrowing, the teeth can be tipped outwards a little without changing the bone.

Our guides to [adult braces in London](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/adult-braces-london) and [types of braces](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/types-of-braces) cover the brace stage that usually follows.

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## What is the best age for a palate expander?

Expansion is easiest and most stable before the growth spurt, typically between about 7 and 12 years old, when the suture is still flexible. Many teenagers can still be expanded, although more force is needed. That is why an orthodontic check by around age 7 to 9 is useful for children with crowding or a crossbite.

This is one part of a bigger decision; our guide to [overbite treatment for adults](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/overbite-treatment-adults-london) covers the rest.

## How long does a palate expander stay in?

| Phase | Typical duration | What happens |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Turning | 2–4 weeks | Jaw is widened |
| Holding | 3–6 months | Bone forms in the suture |
| Removal | One appointment | Bands are taken off |
| Retention | Months to years | A removable retainer or braces keep the width |

## How much does a palate expander cost in London?

Expanders are rarely priced on their own. They are usually part of an interceptive treatment plan for a child or the first stage of a full brace treatment. In London, children's interceptive treatment typically starts from about £1,200 in outer London and £2,180 in central London, and full child metal braces from about £2,500 to £3,420. See [how much braces cost in London and the UK](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/braces-cost-london) for the full breakdown. Children with a significant crossbite may also be assessed for NHS treatment.

## Looking after an expander

- Brush carefully around the bands and rinse with water after meals

- Use a water flosser or interdental brushes if recommended

- Avoid toffee, chewing gum, hard sweets and nuts

- Keep the key safe and follow the turning schedule

- Contact the practice if the appliance feels loose or a band comes off

## Expander or extractions?

For crowding, widening the upper jaw is sometimes an alternative to removing teeth, but not always. Expansion only helps when the jaw is genuinely narrow; widening a normal-width jaw simply to make room can push teeth outside the bone and is not stable. When the upper jaw is narrow and the bite is in crossbite, expansion is usually the first choice. When the jaw is a normal width and crowding is severe, extractions may give a better and more stable result. An orthodontist will measure your arch width and the space needed before recommending either.

## Book an assessment

At a consultation we check the width of the upper jaw, the bite, the space for adult teeth and, for teenagers and adults, whether conventional expansion is still possible. [Request a consultation](https://orthodontistslondon.com/#enquire) and let us know the patient's age.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long do you wear a palate expander?

Typically 2 to 4 weeks of turning, followed by 3 to 6 months with the expander left in place to let the new bone settle. In total most children wear one for 4 to 7 months.

### Does a palate expander hurt?

Most children feel pressure in the teeth, nose and cheeks for a few minutes after each turn. It is uncomfortable rather than painful, and settles within days.

### Can adults get a palate expander?

Yes, but the palate suture is usually fused in adults, so a conventional expander may only tip the teeth. Mini-screw supported expanders or surgically assisted expansion are used instead.

### Why does a gap appear between the front teeth?

As the two halves of the upper jaw separate, the front teeth move apart. The gap is a sign the expander is working and normally closes on its own or with braces.

### How much does a palate expander cost?

In London, expanders are usually part of an interceptive or full orthodontic plan; children's interceptive treatment typically starts from about £1,200.

## Related guides

- [How Much Do Braces Cost in London and the UK? (2026)](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/braces-cost-london)
- [Invisalign Cost in the UK and London: 2026 Prices](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/invisalign-cost-uk)
- [Lingual Braces in London: Cost, Pros and Cons (2026)](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/lingual-braces-london)
- [Clear and Ceramic Braces: Cost and Who They Suit](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/clear-ceramic-braces-cost)
- [Crossbite Treatment: Causes, Options and Timescales](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/crossbite-treatment)
- [London Invisalign and Braces Price Index 2026](https://orthodontistslondon.com/tools/london-invisalign-braces-price-index)
- [Orthodontists in London: Invisalign and braces](https://orthodontistslondon.com/)
- [Areas of London we cover](https://orthodontistslondon.com/london-areas)

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