Palatal Expander

The palatal expander "expands" (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. The animation below will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

palatal expander.jpeg

Adjusting the palatal expander

Step 1

In a well-lit area, tip the patient's head back.

Image of palatal expander in a mouth

Step 2

Place the key in the hole until it is firmly in place.

Image of someone placing ket in the hole of the palatal expander

Step 3

Push the key toward the back of the mouth. You will notice the fender will rotate and the new hole will appear. The rotation stops when the key meets the back of the expander.

Image of someone turning the key toward the back of the mouth on the expander

Step 4

Press back and down toward the tongue to remove the key. The next hole for insertion of the key should now be visible.

Image of a successful turning with new key hole visible on expander