The Nitanium Palatal Expander or NPE, is a fixed thermally-activated, arch-widening appliance for patients with narrow arches or posterior cross bites. The NPE is a slow expansion appliance that requires very little adjustment. The appliance is chilled prior to seating in order to gain flexibility. Once the metal is warmed intraorally it regains its tension, increasing the arch width by as much as 4 millimeters. Additional arch width can be manually adjusted into the appliance. Due to its thermal properties the patient can catch a break by sipping cold water.