Rapid Palate Expander (RPE)

A Simple, Effective Solution To Teeth And Jaw Correction

Grosso orthodontics rapid palate expander family photo

It may seem daunting as a parent, but a rapid palate expander for children is both safe and effective, especially under the care and supervision of an expert orthodontist such as Dr. Lindsay Grosso. Children’s bones are pliable, which means they are easier to move and makes orthodontic treatment efficient. If we determine your child is a good candidate for expansion, we make the process simple and painless! Learn more about how Grosso Orthodontics uses rapid palate expanders to correct orthodontic issues by reading below.

What Is A Rapid Palate Expander?

A rapid palatal expander or RPE is an orthodontic device used to help widen the upper jaw in patients who have a narrow arch. The fixed metal appliance sits in the roof of the mouth and gradually pulls apart the jawbone to make more room. It is most commonly used in children during the early early intervention phase beginning around age 7, but may also be used in young teens and adults too. Some reasons we may recommend a rapid platelet expander include:

  • Misaligned bite, including crossbites

  • Overcrowded teeth

  • Overlapping or crooked teeth

  • Impacted teeth

How It Works

During your child’s consultation, Dr. Lindsay Grosso will evaluate their mouth to determine if a rapid palate expander is a good solution for them. From there, we will take digital impressions in order to create a custom made appliance that is tailored to your child’s specific palate. At Grosso Orthodontics, we utilize only the most advanced technology to keep your child comfortable, and we take 3D pictures with our iTero Lumina™ intraoral scanner. The images are then sent to our lab, where your child’s appliance is crafted from high-quality metal materials.

Once it arrives at our office, your child will come in for an appointment where Dr. Lindsay will place the rapid palate expander with dental cement and make sure it is safe and secured. She will also show you how to turn the expander, so you, the parent, feel confident about doing it at home.

Turning The Rapid Palate Expander

During the course of your child’s treatment, you will need to turn the rapid palate expander with a key once daily. Grosso Orthodontics is happy to provide you with step by step instructions to help parents perform this task with confidence!

  • Have your child lie down and open their mouth.
  • Gently place the key in the hole and make sure it is firmly in position.
  • Guide the key from the front of their mouth to the back until it stops. You know you have done it correctly when a new hole appears.
  • To remove the key, delicately pull the key straight down and out of your child’s mouth. Make sure you do not bring the key forward as this can reverse the turn you just completed.
Lightforce braces

Frequently asked questions

When is the right age for my child to use a rapid palate expander?

Any person—adult, teen or child—can use a rapid palate expander. However, the younger a person is the better the treatment as jawbones are still growing and developing, reducing the possibility of your child needing more invasive treatments later down the road.

This depends on several factors such as a patient’s age, the complexity of their orthodontic issues and compliance. In general, for young children it may take just 3-4 months and up to one year for an adult.

Your child may experience some discomfort after the initial placement of the appliance and after rotating the screw, but this is just temporary and the discomfort will go away in no time.

No. The device works to widen your child’s jaw but should not cause any changes in their face.

Yes, palate expanders have been used for decades to treat malocclusions in young children and teens.

CUTTING-EDGE ORTHODONTIC CARE WITH GROSSO ORTHODONTICS

We can’t wait to meet you—so let’s get started with Invisalign®! We take pride in creating healthy smiles for everyone. No matter your age, if you’re ready to start your smile transformation, we have you covered!