Hyrax / Palatal Expanders

Creating the Right Foundation: Upper Jaw Expansion with the Hyrax Appliance

A perfect smile requires the right foundation. If the upper jaw is too narrow, there isn't enough room for the teeth, the bite is disrupted, and even nasal breathing can be affected. The Hyrax appliance is a key orthodontic tool that allows us to effectively expand the upper jaw, creating the basis for future harmony. However, the approach to its use differs fundamentally between children and adults.

How does Hyrax work in children and adolescents?

In childhood and adolescence (usually up to 16-18 years old), the two halves of the upper jaw are connected by a malleable palatal suture. The Hyrax appliance, fixed to the back teeth, applies gentle pressure to this suture with a screw, stimulating the formation of new bone tissue. This allows us to achieve true skeletal expansion—we increase the size of the jaw itself. This is the "golden time" for such a procedure.

Is jaw expansion possible in adults?

Yes, it is possible, but with a different methodology. In adults, the palatal suture is already completely ossified. Simply applying pressure with the appliance would only lead to an undesirable tilting of the teeth. Therefore, a combined approach is used for adults—Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE). First, a maxillofacial surgeon performs a minimal intervention to weaken the suture, and immediately after that, we begin activating the Hyrax appliance, which can now produce the necessary skeletal expansion.

What do you need to know about the activation process?

Regardless of age, the process consists of two phases:

1. Active Phase: Parents (or the patient themselves) turn the screw according to an individual schedule for 2-4 weeks.

2. Stabilization Phase: After achieving the desired width, the appliance remains in the mouth for another 4-6 months for the new bone to mature.

The appearance of a temporary gap between the front teeth is a normal and desirable sign of successful expansion.