Hyrax Palate Expander
Breathing problems and teeth misalignment are common symptoms of a narrow palate. These complications may be avoided with the use of palate expanders or surgical intervention. Dr. Rush Davidson uses a Hyrax expander to address these symptoms.
Hyrax expander is a dental appliance used to widen the narrow space of your upper jaw. It is composed of two halves interconnected with a screw in the middle of the mouth and attached to the upper molar teeth with bonding or bands. Hyrax Expander is adjusted based on the dental impression taken from your mouth, which provides a customized, comfortable fit in your mouth.
To maintain good oral health in general, your teeth should touch at the same time when you bite. If your teeth don’t touch, a Hyrax Expander can be used to treat orthodontic issues such as narrow palate and crowded teeth, providing the palate expansion that helps align your jaw and teeth.
Throughout the duration of your treatment plan, our friendly orthodontic staff will schedule periodic appointments to ensure that your hyrax expander is adjusted as needed to keep your treatment plan on track. Through tailored, high-quality care, our expert orthodontists and staff will assist you in achieving all of your dental health and attractiveness goals.
If you have a narrow palate or over-crowded teeth, contact Empire Orthodontics to see how we can help. We have offices in both Beavercreek and West Chester that both provide the same great orthodontic services in our state-of-the-art offices. Get started with a free Orthodontic Consultation to learn how we can help you find your best smile.
Hyrax Expander FAQs
A Hyrax expander is a fixed orthodontic appliance used to widen the upper jaw (palate) to create more space for teeth and improve bite alignment.
It is used to correct narrow palates, crossbites, crowding, and breathing issues by gradually expanding the upper jaw.
The expander applies gentle pressure to the upper jaw through a screw mechanism that is turned regularly, helping to separate the two halves of the palate. Dr. Davidson will use a hyrax expander to better position your teeth for orthodontic treatment.
Typically, the active expansion phase lasts 1–3 weeks, but the expander remains in place for 3–6 months to allow the bones to stabilize.
It is most effective in children and pre-teens when the jaw is still growing, but in some cases, it can be used for teenagers and adults.
Yes, you may have a slight lisp at first, but this usually improves within a few days as you adjust to speaking with the expander.
Avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods like gum, caramel, popcorn, and hard candies, as they can damage the expander.
Yes, but you may need to cut food into smaller pieces and chew more carefully, especially during the first few days as you get used to your new orthodontic appliance.
Slight tightness is normal, but if it causes significant pain or does not seem to loosen after a few hours, contact Empire Orthodontics for an adjustment.
