Expanders

Rapid Palatal Expansion at Avelle Orthodontics

A palatal expander is one of the most effective orthodontic tools we use to create space in the upper jaw, correct crossbites, and guide healthy jaw development, particularly in growing children.

At Avelle Orthodontics, Dr. Ethan Larson uses expanders as part of a comprehensive, health-focused treatment approach that addresses structure and function, not just aesthetics.

Understanding what to expect and how to care for your expander will make the process smooth and successful. This guide covers everything you need to know.

What to Expect With an Expander

These are normal and expected effects of a rapid palatal expander and are not reasons to remove the expander prematurely.

*With discomfort, use a mild, over-the-counter pain reliever.

Expanding the Palate

Have the child lie on his or her back with their head at the edge of a bed or over the arm of a sofa. Use adequate lighting from a bright lamp or flashlight.
Opening as wide as possible will minimize the gag reflex.
Place the key in the center hole and turn in the direction of the arrows that are on the expander.
Turn the expander toward the back of the mouth until you can see the next hole.
Carefully remove the key in a down-and-back direction. Caution: Be very careful not to “unturn” the expander when removing the key.
Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions as to how often to turn the expander.
Try to make the adjustments at about the same time each day.

Diet and Cleaning Your Expander

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Patient Reviews

Experience our 5-star care.

Confident smiles speak for themselves, but don’t take just our word for it! Check out what our patients are saying about their experience.

What a beautiful new practice! How special to achieve your beautiful new smile at Avelle Orthodontics! Dr. Larson and his staff will treat you with confidence and friendliness! Dr. Larson loves keeping up with the latest techniques to give you that gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted! Give them a call to set up your free consultation and get you started on your SMILE journey!!!

Brenda H.

Very excited to have been part of building the new Avelle Ortho office in Gilbert. Dr. Larson and his team worked tirelessly to prepare to bring their welcoming style of business to the valley! Show them a warm Gilbert welcome and go get the smile you have always wanted!

Vance M.

Dr Larson and the exceptional staff at Avelle Orthodontics are fantastic. They have a beautiful patient friendly office with knowledgeable experienced providers and the latest technologies in orthodontic care. Their attention to detail in ensuring the best possible outcome to each and every patient is very appreciated.

Shane B.

Dr.Larson is a great orthodontist. You can tell that he cares about the patient as a person, throughout the whole treatment, and not just the first time he meets you.

Benjamin

Fabulous, state of the art, wonderful, informative, kind and literally the best ortho out there!

Esther V.

Dr. Larson treated my husband with Invisalign, and my four children with regular braces. We loved Dr. Larson for his kindness and friendliness, but above all, we appreciated him more because he is just an excellent doctor as an orthodontist. His knowledge, skills, perfectionism, professionalism is exceptional. Because of Dr. Larson’s treatment, my family have healthy and beautiful teeth. He did a wonderful job both with Invisalign and regular braces.I have to add the after care of his practice is also excellent. We have lost or broken our retainers multiple times, and they were prompt to make a new one so that we could resume using the retainer before the teeth start moving back.He truly cares for his patients and their well-being, and it shows in his work and the outcome. You will have a great experience with Dr. Larson and his staff as my whole family did.

Maki V.

Dr. Larson has been an amazing orthodontist for our kids. He has a great demeanor, is very friendly and warm to the children, and speaks to us with respect. He created an excellent treatment plan for our children’s orthodontic needs, and their smiles definitely show a difference. We are grateful for Dr. Larson and his team, and I highly recommend seeing him for any orthodontic work.

Adam S.

DR Larson did a great job for our children teeth. He and his staff were very pleasant to deal with.

Luke and Callie K.

Dr Larson is a very knowledgeable orthodontist. He treated me and my husband when he had his practice in WA state. He would always answer any questions and ease any concerns we had. I am so happy with the results and I love how my teeth look now. I make sure to smile in every single picture!

Katia M.

From the moment you walk in, the staff makes you feels welcome and comfortable. The office is gorgeous! Not only is Dr. Larson professional, he is also very friendly, funny and calming, he makes the overall experience very positive for his patients. I highly recommend Dr. Larson and Avelle Orthopedics!

Cris R.

We had a fantastic first visit to the Avelle Orthodontics office this past week. We took our 7 year old son in for an evaluation. The staff could not have been more kind and Dr. Larson gave my son a lot of attention and made him feel very welcome. It was a fun experience! We were very impressed! So glad we found out about this office.

Ashley P.

The staff is so inviting and friendly, the office is stunning, and Dr Larson is such a fun and knowledgeable orthodontist! I was nervous about getting braces as an adult, but I’m so glad I did and that I chose Dr Larson to do them. I love showing off my smile now!

Melissa

Custom-Made for You — From Scan to Smile

At Avelle Orthodontics, no two expanders are alike — because no two patients are alike. Every expander we place is precision-engineered from a digital 3D scan of your unique anatomy, ensuring a fit that’s accurate, comfortable, and optimized for your specific treatment needs. This technology-forward approach eliminates the guesswork of traditional impressions and delivers a result that simply couldn’t be achieved with off-the-shelf appliances.

Digital 3D Scan

We capture a precise digital model of your teeth and palate using an intraoral scanner — no goopy impressions, no discomfort.

Custom Design

Dr. Larson uses the scan data to digitally design your expander, tailoring every dimension to your anatomy and treatment plan.

3D-Printed Bands

The bands that anchor your expander to your teeth are 3D printed for an exact fit — no adjusting, no discomfort from ill-fitting hardware.

Precision Placement

Your custom appliance arrives ready to place accurately and comfortably at your fitting appointment — no surprises.

OUR LOCATION

Come see us today!

Located in Gilbert and Litchfield Park, AZ, we are dedicated to offering you and your family the highest standard of care possible!