Precision-fit palate expansion designed to widen the upper jaw, correct crossbites, and create the foundation for a healthier, more balanced smile.
A narrow upper jaw creates problems that extend well beyond crowded teeth. When left unaddressed, a narrow upper jaw contributes to posterior crossbites, restricts your airway function, and bite imbalances that become significantly more complex to correct over time. We use a Hyrax Expander, a fixed orthodontic appliance anchored to your upper back teeth, to apply gentle, consistent pressure that gradually widens the jaw.
At Wigal & Kluemper Orthodontics, our board-certified orthodontists custom-fit every Hyrax Expander. We evaluate palate expansion within the full context of facial development, airway health, and long-term bite function. You adjust the device’s central screw once or twice daily using a special key, with each small turn progressively widening the jaw.
Once we reach the target width, we leave the expander in place for several months to allow new bone to stabilize in the expanded suture, securing lasting results and preventing your jaw from narrowing again.
Palate expansion produces tangible clinical benefits that extend well beyond creating space for your teeth, and those benefits apply across a wide range of ages and presentations.
By widening your narrow upper jaw, the Hyrax Expander improves your nasal airflow and supports healthier breathing patterns. At Wigal & Kluemper, we evaluate your airway health as part of every treatment plan, never separating it from your orthodontic outcomes.
The Hyrax Expander resolves posterior crossbites by guiding the upper and lower jaws into a more balanced working relationship. Addressing these functional issues early reduces dental wear and helps prevent more complex corrections later in treatment.
By expanding the dental arch, the Hyrax Expander creates room for your teeth to align properly, often eliminating the need for extractions and simplifying what any future orthodontic treatment requires.
We ground every Hyrax Expander case in specialist training, advanced diagnostic technology, and a genuine commitment to individualized care. Patients in Heath trust Wigal & Kluemper Orthodontics because they know we prioritize long-term functional balance and facial harmony over cookie-cutter solutions.
We custom-fabricate every expander from precise records of your palatal anatomy to ensure we apply correction where it is needed.
Your appliance works effectively from day one because we use precise fitting and advanced 3D imaging. It helps reduce orthodontic emergencies and require fewer office visits during your active treatment.
We map out your entire expansion process before we begin. You can expect a clear understanding of how long active expansion phase takes and what the stabilization period requires.
Our practice is defined by the collaboration of two board-certified specialists committed to delivering a singular standard of precision. We focus on individualized treatment plans that prioritize long-term oral health and optimal facial development for every patient.
Board-certified orthodontist Dr. Timothy Wigal approaches every Invisalign® case through the framework of the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony, evaluating how teeth, jaws, and facial structures work together as a system. His focus on facial balance and airway health ensures that treatment outcomes at Wigal & Kluemper go far beyond straight teeth—delivering results that are genuinely transformative and built to last.
Dr. Alex Kluemper is a board-certified orthodontist with specialized expertise in craniofacial growth, interceptive and surgical orthodontics, and advanced tooth movement biology. His academic background and clinical precision make him particularly skilled at managing complex cases and his patients consistently appreciate his clarity, thoroughness, and commitment to results that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Our practice is conveniently located to serve patients throughout Heath and the surrounding Licking County area. Use the interactive map below to find our office and get directions.
Specialist-led custom Hyrax Expander treatment is accessible to every Heath patient. We offer 0% in-house financing with low monthly payment options, accept CareCredit, and work with most major PPO plans to ensure you or your family member receives the precise, individualized care needed — without unnecessary financial barriers.
In-network with most major plans.
Low monthly payment options.
Accessible orthodontic core starts here, with options designed to fit your needs and your budget.
Have questions about Hyrax Expander treatment? Here are answers to what our patients in Heath ask most before starting palate expansion.
The custom Hyrax Expander is a fixed orthodontic appliance anchored to the upper back teeth. You adjust a central screw once or twice daily using a special key, with each small turn applying gentle, steady pressure that gradually widens the upper jaw. Once we reach the target width, we leave the expander in place for several months to allow new bone to form and stabilize, preventing your jaw from narrowing again and securing the results long-term.
We use the Hyrax Expander across a range of ages and presentations. We most commonly recommend it for patients with a narrow upper jaw, posterior crossbite, or significant arch crowding. Younger patients with an unfused palatal suture typically achieve skeletal widening of the jaw itself; older adolescents may achieve a combination of skeletal and dental expansion depending on the degree of suture maturation. Our specialist evaluation using 3D imaging is the most reliable way to determine whether expander therapy is appropriate and what results are achievable for your specific anatomy.
You may experience some mild pressure or soreness in the first few days after placement and after each adjustment. This typically fades quickly as the mouth adapts. You might also notice a temporary gap between the upper front teeth during treatment, which is a normal sign that expansion is progressing, and which typically closes naturally as treatment continues.
Patients should brush carefully around the appliance after every meal to keep gums and supporting tissues healthy. Rinsing with water after eating helps clear debris from the expansion mechanism. Sticky, chewy, or excessively hard foods should be avoided to protect the metal framework and bands. Our team will walk you through the full care routine and adjustment instructions at your fitting appointment.
In many cases, yes. We often use the Hyrax Expander as part of a broader treatment plan, with braces or clear aligner therapy following once the jaw has reached the appropriate width and teeth are ready for alignment. Completing expander therapy successfully often shortens and simplifies the next phase of treatment considerably. Our specialist outlines the full expected treatment sequence from the start, so you have a clear picture of what to expect at every stage.
