February 6, 2025 | Mars Orthodontics
Many adults are told that palate expanders only work for children. This is one of the most common questions adult patients ask.
Can adults get a palate expander?
At Mars Orthodontics in South Brisbane we provide specialist palate expansion treatment for adults. Using detailed clinical examination and 3D imaging we assess whether skeletal expansion of the upper jaw is possible.
Adult palate expansion is carefully planned and monitored by a specialist orthodontist to achieve safe and predictable results.
Our oldest patient successfully treated with adult expansion has been 48 years old.
A common concern is whether a palate expander actually works in adults.
In children the upper jaw expands more easily because the midpalatal suture is still developing. In adults the suture becomes more mature, which is why many patients are told expansion is not possible or that jaw surgery is required.
At Mars Orthodontics we use carefully planned skeletal expansion techniques to widen the upper jaw in adults.
In selected cases we use piezo-assisted techniques to facilitate expansion. This allows predictable opening of the midpalatal suture in appropriate patients.
Using this approach we have consistently achieved successful skeletal expansion in carefully selected adult patients.
During successful expansion a gap usually forms between the front teeth. This gap is a normal sign that the upper jaw is widening.
Adult palate expansion may be recommended when the upper jaw is too narrow.
A narrow upper jaw can contribute to several common orthodontic problems.
Signs that an adult may benefit from palate expansion include:
A specialist orthodontic assessment determines whether expansion is appropriate.
Many adults are told that jaw surgery is required to widen the upper jaw.
While some patients do require surgery, many adults can be treated with orthodontic expansion techniques.
At Mars Orthodontics we assess whether non surgical expansion is possible before recommending surgical treatment.
Careful diagnosis is essential because not every adult is a suitable candidate for non surgical expansion.
Different techniques are available for adult palate expansion.
One option is SARPE which stands for surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion. This treatment involves orthodontic expansion combined with jaw surgery performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
At Mars Orthodontics many adult patients can be treated using skeletal expansion techniques combined with minimally invasive piezo-assisted procedures when required.
Piezo-assisted expansion allows controlled surgical release of resistance areas and can improve the predictability of suture opening in selected cases.
This approach allows many adult patients to achieve skeletal expansion without full jaw surgery.
One of the most common concerns about adult palate expansion is the temporary gap that forms between the front teeth.
This gap forms as the upper jaw widens and is a normal sign that skeletal expansion is occurring.
The size of the gap depends on the amount of expansion. Larger expansions produce larger gaps.
After expansion the teeth are aligned with orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign to gradually close the gap.
Orthodontic tooth movement typically occurs at approximately 0.5 to 1 millimetre per month.
For larger expansions the gap may take several months to close completely.
In cases with significant expansion the gap may remain visible for longer periods before alignment is complete.
At Mars Orthodontics in South Brisbane we provide specialist treatment for adult palate expansion.
Each patient is assessed using clinical examination and 3D imaging to determine whether skeletal expansion is possible.
Treatment planning is individualised for each patient to achieve stable and predictable results.
For many adults palate expansion involves specialised appliances designed to widen the upper jaw safely and predictably.
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Learn more about MARPE expansion
If you have been told that palate expansion is not possible, a specialist orthodontic assessment can help determine whether adult palate expansion is suitable for you.
Considering an adult palate expander? Schedule a consultation with Mars Orthodontics in South Brisbane today to find out if MARPE is the right solution for you. We provide expert evaluations and customised treatment plans designed to deliver the best results.
