Instructions for Wear and Care of Palatal Expansion Appliances

Expansion appliances for the palatal arch are used to help grow the roof of the mouth and the ridges holding the upper teeth wider to correct a posterior cross-bit condition. Several types of these appliances require periodic adjustments to be made at home by the parent or the patient. Following are directions that will aid a patient to wear and adjust such appliance properly:

1. Fixed appliance is cemented to the teeth and must be adjusted inside the mouth.
2. Appliances which use an adjustable jackscrew mechanism to create the expansion forces, need to be adjusted at home as directed. The doctor will demonstrate how to do this in the office.
3. Adjustments of these appliances are made by inserting a wire KEY in a jackscrew hole and turning the key 90 degrees in a front to back direction. An arrow is usually present to indicate the direction to turn.
4. These jackscrew mechanisms are limited in their ranges of expansions about 4 or 6 mm. (Less than 1/4 inch). If the palatal constriction is severe, more than one appliance may be needed to complete the expansion treatment.
5. The doctor will usually check the progress of the patient's expansion and correct the fit of the appliance once each month during an office visit.
6. Utmost care must be taken not to bend, damage, or break the appliance. It is strongly made, but will not survive careless wear or handling.

Thank you for your help

Back to Kid's Corner