Wellington Office:
How a Palatal Expander Works
A palatal expander gradually widens the upper jaw by applying gentle pressure to the upper molars with each adjustment. The animation below will guide you on when and how to properly adjust your expander.
Once the desired expansion is reached, the appliance will remain in place for several months to stabilize the results and help prevent the jaw from shifting back.
Palatal Expander Adjustment Instructions
You may also download these instructions as a printable PDF.
Step 1
In a well-lit area, tip the patient’s head back.
Step 2
Place the key in the hole until it is firmly in place.
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.
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.