A young patient applying her Invisalign Palatal Expander
Invisalign Palatal Expander

A gentler way to widen a narrow smile.

A series of custom, removable, 3D-printed devices that gently widen the upper jaw to make room for incoming teeth.

What It Is

No screws. No wires. Just a series of custom aligners.

The Invisalign Palatal Expander (IPE) creates space for permanent teeth and addresses narrow arches or crossbites — without the metal hardware of a traditional expander.

A traditional expander relies on a screw anchored to the back teeth to gradually widen the suture running down the middle of the palate. The IPE widens that same suture — it just does it with a comfortable, removable piece instead of hardware that stays cemented in place.

  • Made from a single piece of nylon — no metal, no screws to turn at home
  • Clicks snugly over the back teeth, custom 3D-printed to match the curve of your palate
  • Removable for eating and brushing
  • Way less discomfort and stress than a traditional expander
  • Better hygiene, with fewer required office visits

See the full early treatment picture

A young patient wearing her Invisalign Palatal Expander
The Process

How Invisalign Palatal Expander treatment works

01

Initial consultation

We assess whether your child's arch actually needs expansion.

02

Digital iTero scans

Fast, comfortable scans replace goopy impression trays.

03

Custom planning

Your plan is mapped out with Invisalign software before anything is made.

04

Active expansion

Custom expanders are worn full-time — 22+ hours a day — to gently widen the arch.

05

Stabilization

Palatal holders keep the new width in place while it settles.

06

Progress monitoring

Checked through in-office visits or virtual check-ins, whichever your case calls for.

07

Transition, if needed

Many kids move directly into Invisalign First aligners next.

Palatal Expander FAQs

What parents ask before starting

A narrow upper jaw can leave too little room for incoming adult teeth, create a crossbite where the upper and lower teeth don't line up correctly, or contribute to mouth breathing in kids with an underdeveloped palate. An expander corrects the underlying width issue rather than just managing the symptoms.
A traditional expander uses a small screw anchored to the back teeth that's turned by hand at home to gradually widen the jaw. The Invisalign Palatal Expander does the same job with a custom, 3D-printed piece of nylon that simply clicks over the back teeth — no screws, no metal, and it comes out to eat and brush.
The suture running down the middle of the roof of the mouth hasn't fused yet in a growing child, so it responds well to gentle, non-surgical expansion. In adults, that suture has fused, which typically means expansion is slower, less predictable, and sometimes needs surgical assistance — one more reason timing matters.

You don't have to decide today.

Come in, or check in remotely — either way, Dr. Wiktorski will walk you through exactly what he sees, what he'd recommend, and why. Then you decide what's right for you.

Schedule a Consultation