What is Rapid Maxillary Expansion treatment?

Many parents take their child to an orthodontist to straighten their teeth. But did you know that correcting your child’s bite is just as important? Your orthodontist may recommend a number of different treatment options to help align your child’s jaw – including Rapid Maxillary Expansion treatment.

What is a Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME)?

Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) is an orthodontic technique used for expanding the top jaw when it is too narrow. It involves the use of an expander appliance that is fixed to your child’s upper teeth and cannot be removed.

How do I know if my child needs an orthodontic expander?

Widening your child’s jaw can be done for a number of reasons including:

• Correcting a crossbite which can cause facial asymmetry if it is not corrected.
• Reducing or eliminating overcrowding by broadening the jaw to make space for all your child’s teeth to grow in the correct position.
• Improving the ability to breathe as a narrow jaw can make it difficult for your child to breathe through their nose.

When is the best time to get RME treatment?

To get the best result, we recommend starting expansion treatment before or during your child’s peak growth spurt – which usually coincides with their teenage years. At this stage, the jaw is more malleable and likely to widen. To ensure you’re not leaving it too late, we recommend first consulting an orthodontist from age 7 so you can be prepared for all potential outcomes, including early interventions such as RME to help minimise future problems.

What does an expander look like?

An expander appliance consists of a metal framework with an enclosed screw mechanism in the middle. It is usually glued to the top molar teeth and the screw sits in the roof of the mouth. This screw can be adjusted to expand the width of your child’s top jaw gradually. There are slight variations in design but are usually glued to 2 or 4 top teeth. Sometimes they are attached to anchor pins placed in the roof of the mouth.

How much does an orthodontic expander cost?

The amount you’ll need to pay for the orthodontic expander will vary from practice to practice, and will factor in the complexity of your child’s jaw alignment. Often, the cost is bundled into the total cost of the treatment, which may also include braces or clear aligners.

How long does my child have to wear the appliance?

As the appliance cannot be removed, the device will be permanently fixed to the teeth for 4–8 months. During the first 2–6 weeks, you will adjust the screw, to widen the upper jawbone. Then, you will leave it alone, allowing the new bone to fill in the gap between the two halves of the upper jaw. This will improve your child’s bite, but it is common for patients to complete further orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth afterwards.

Will it be painful?

Like any change, it may take some time to get used to. Your child may feel slight discomfort for 3–5 days after the appliance is first fitted, but this should subdue once the upper jaw starts to widen. If your child continues to feel pain, your orthodontist may recommend solutions such as painkillers.

What can my child eat when undergoing RME treatment?

As with any appliance, there will be an initial adjustment period. It is usually recommended to begin with a soft diet while the teeth are feeling tender. This will then revert to a more normal diet as your child gets used to the appliance. Generally speaking, it is important to avoid hard or sticky food that will dislodge the appliance and minimise sugary snacks that could cause decay.

What will my child’s mouth look like before and after an orthodontic expander?

Given that the orthodontic expander is hidden from view, it’ll be easier to notice the difference in your child’s teeth and jaw as their treatment progresses.

If there are obvious signs of overcrowding, then the expander will reshape your child’s mouth so that the teeth that aren’t in the correct spot will be able to be positioned in the right place. But if your child’s mouth was on the narrower side, then the expander will widen your child’s jaw and broaden the smile. This might lead to a gap in the front teeth temporarily, but this is corrected with subsequent treatment (with braces or aligners).

Use our Finder Tool to find a specialist orthodontist near you and ask them any questions you may have about rapid maxillary expansion.