Jaw Expansion London
For optimal breathing, sleep, smiles, and face profiles
The Benefits of Jaw Expansion
Jaw expansion for adults and children aims to develop the jaws to their optimal size for health and aesthetic benefits.
1
Creates space for teeth straightening without the need for extractions or shaving teeth
2
Creates space in the roof of the mouth for the tongue, supporting healthy nasal breathing and optimal sleep
3
Supports wider smiles and better supported lip and face profiles
Why Small Jaws Are a Modern Problem
Small jaws aren’t genetic — they’re a modern problem often linked to lifestyle factors during childhood.
- Softer diets that don’t stimulate jaw growth
- Absence of or reduced breastfeeding can lead to jaws developing smaller
- Mouth breathing, often linked to allergies or blocked nasal breathing, leading to longer and narrower facial development
When jaws don’t develop to their full potential, teeth erupt without enough space and become crowded.
Narrow jaws contribute to reduced tongue space, causing it to sit further back in the mouth. This can narrow the airway, contributing to breathing and sleep issues.
Aesthetically, longer and narrower facial development can result in a weaker jaw profile compared to healthier, wider jaw development.
This is why early assessment in children matters. Supporting jaw expansion during key growth years from ages 3 to 12 can help guide healthier development. Learn more on our Child Jaw Expansion London page.
In adults, although the jaws have finished growing, expansion is still possible, even if you’ve had extractions or braces in the past. Help is still available. Learn more on our Adult Jaw Expansion London page.
Jaw Expansion for Optimal Breathing and Sleep
Jaw expansion can play a key role in helping you breathe optimally and sleep more deeply.
By expanding the jaws, more space is created for the tongue to sit in the roof of the mouth, where it naturally wants to be. In this position, healthier nasal breathing is supported, which can have a positive impact on overall health.
Correct tongue position also helps keep the airway more open during sleep. This health-first view is central to my work as an airway dentist in London.
This is why jaw expansion is often explored as a long-term, root-cause approach for people experiencing Teeth Grinding and TMJ or Snoring and Sleep Apnoea.
Jaw Expansion and Face Profiles
Jaw expansion, introduced at the right age, can enhance smiles and face profiles for the long-term.
Expansion supports wider smiles by allowing more of the back teeth to be visible, creating a fuller and more natural appearance. It can also support wider facial profiles and stronger jawlines.
A common concern I hear is a recessed jaw — especially the lower jaw. In many cases, the lower jaw isn’t the real problem. The upper jaw is often underdeveloped and holding the lower jaw back. By developing the upper jaw, we can sometimes create space for the lower jaw to sit more forward naturally.
In adults, jaw profiles may also be affected by previous extractions and braces. In these cases, expansion can contribute to a stronger, more defined jaw profile — and in selected cases, may support jaw expansion without surgery.
To learn more, visit our Child Jaw Expansion London and Adult Jaw Expansion London pages.
Jaw Expansion for Optimal Growth and Development
Jaw expansion introduced early during a child’s growth years can help support optimal growth and development.
It may help by:
- Supporting wider smiles, open airways and stronger jaw and face profiles
- Allowing for more open airways, contributing to deeper, more restful sleep
In children during the growth years of 3 to 12, healthier nasal breathing during sleep has been associated with improvements in focus, behaviour, and overall wellbeing when compared to mouth breathing.
To learn more, visit our Child Jaw Expansion London page.
Introducing WideSmiles™ - Slow Jaw Expansion
WideSmiles™ is a philosophy built around one core principle: slow, gentle jaw expansion works best with the body’s biology.
Rather than using aggressive forces for rapid jaw expansion, slow jaw expansion respects the biology and healing capabilities of the body in both children and adults. Where appropriate, this approach involves working with complementary health practitioners to support the best possible long-term health outcomes.
The cornerstones of the WideSmiles™️ approach are:
- Slow expansion appliances (eg ALF and fixed)
- A holistic approach that works in harmony with the body
- More efficient treatment times
Slow vs Rapid Jaw Expansion
In simple terms, rapid jaw expansion uses high forces to expand the jaw quickly. Slow jaw expansion uses minimal forces to encourage the jaw to widen gradually.
A common misconception is that adult jaws are fixed or fused and cannot be expanded. This belief often leads to rapid expansion approaches like MARPE or SARPE being chosen which can be invasive and aggressive and often require significant healing time.
A slower, controlled expansion approach is increasingly recognised as a more stable and comfortable long-term option, particularly for adults. When planned carefully, slow expansion can encourage bone remodelling, helping develop the jaws and create space — often allowing for jaw expansion without surgery.
In cases of severely underdeveloped jaws, surgery may still be the most appropriate option. This is why a proper assessment is essential before deciding which approach is right for you or your child.
Jaw Expansion With Invisalign®
In selected cases, clear removable aligners such as Invisalign® can play a role within a jaw expansion plan.
Careful case selection and planning are essential. Not everyone is suitable, and experience in understanding what can realistically be achieved is critical. Without proper planning, aligners can simply tip teeth outward rather than supporting healthy jaw development.
For this reason, Invisalign® is used selectively and often as part of a broader expansion strategy, rather than as a stand-alone solution. The right approach depends on jaw shape, age, and goals, which is why a thorough jaw expansion assessment is always required.
For more information check out our Invisalign London page.
What to Expect From a Jaw Expansion Assessment
A jaw expansion assessment is designed to understand how the jaws, teeth, tongue, airway, and facial support work together — for both adults and children.
During an assessment, I look beyond just the teeth and consider:
- Teeth, bite, smile width
- Jaw position and overall facial and lip profile
- Breathing patterns, airway health, and any sleep-related concerns
- The tongue, the space it has, and the presence of any tongue ties
- Jaw joints and muscles, including any clicking, tension, or grinding
- Previous treatments, such as braces or extractions, and how they may have influenced jaw development
- Childhood factors that impact growth and development
Following this thorough assessment, a clear explanation is provided of why things are the way they are, and a personalised plan is created for jaw expansion and straightening that respects biology, comfort, and long-term stability.
Jaw Expansion FAQs
Can adult jaws really be expanded without surgery?
In many cases, adult jaws can respond to slow, controlled expansion. What’s possible depends on jaw shape, age, and biological limits, which is why a detailed assessment is essential before deciding on any plan.
Is jaw expansion cosmetic or health-focused?
Jaw expansion is health-first. While wider smiles and improved face profiles are benefits, the primary goals are improved breathing, tongue space, sleep quality, and long-term stability.
Is jaw expansion suitable for children?
Yes. Jaw expansion during growth years (typically ages 3–12) can help guide healthier jaw development, breathing, sleep, and facial growth.
Is jaw expansion painful?
When done slowly and thoughtfully, jaw expansion is generally well tolerated. The WideSmiles™ approach focuses on gradual change and comfort rather than aggressive forces.
Do I need my teeth straightened after jaw expansion?
Yes. Jaw expansion cannot be completed without straightening the teeth afterwards. As the jaws are expanded, the teeth move and the bite changes, so orthodontic alignment is needed to ensure the result is stable, functional, and long-lasting.
Free Jaw/Smile Analysis & Virtual Call
PLEASE NOTE: To book your virtual call you will be redirected to a page where you’ll need to select between an adult or child jaw analysis or a smile analysis.