A guide to an expander for teeth: how to turn it, how to clean it and how to avoid breaking it

Table of content:
00:05 how often do I turn my expander?
00:22 How to turn the expander for teeth screw using the expander key
01:15 Where to place the expander key
01:45 How an expander key works
02:22 What can go wrong turning an expander with the key
03:00 How to complete one turn so you can continue turning an expander
03:35 What are the parts of an expander that you should clean
04:00 How to clean an expander with a tooth brush
04:30 How to clean the expander screw
04:40 What causes an expander to hurt
05:20 How to put dental wax on an expander
✔️ **Palatal Expander **
Palatal expansion is done to fix skeletal crossbite in child’s mouth. This is when upper teeth are sitting inside of the lower teeth when you bite. Alternatively, your child can have a front crossbite, when upper front teeth get behind the lower teeth. These malocclusion could have skeletal or dental origins.
Expanders work by moving the two pieces of maxillary (upper jaw) when the suture is not completely fused. New bone forms between the upper jaw bones after the expansion. It is important to keep the expander as a retainer after expansion to avoid relapse.
Rapid palatal expander creates enough room for permanent teeth to erupt. This could help avoiding tooth extraction in adulthood.
There are many types of palate expanders. At PORTH, we use 3D printed custom expanders. Palate expanders work by a special key that helps turning the screw positioned on the roof of the mouth.
Expanders in adults when the suture is completely fused comes with high risk of facial bone fracture. Jaw corrective surgeries are a safer solution to address skeletal issues in upper jaw.
Treatment options for kids combines palate expander with braces or clear aligners (Invisalign).
✔️ **Life with an orthodontic expander **
Oral hygiene and cleaning around the expander is the key in success of the treatment. Expander often cover the adult molars back of the mouth which is harder to clean. Back teeth are at risk of cavities in patients with poor flossing and brushing habits.
✔️**Orthodontic**
Orthodontic treatment is often considered as an option for teens. American Association of Orthodontists recommend the first visit to an orthodontist around the age 7. The goal of the first visit is to establish a provider for orthodontic care and monitoring potential dental and skeletal growth.
A small group of kids need early orthodontic treatment. The goal is this often one year of treatment to help transition of baby teeth to adult teeth. Mostly monitoring to avoid severe crowded teeth leading in impacted teeth. Additionally, an orthodontist would identify potential jawbones issues that could be fixed with growth modification treatment plans.
Phase 1 or early treatment appliances to fix issues with the upper jaw (maxillary) or lower jaw (mandible) vary. One of the common growth modification plans for kids is an expander treatment.
Soft foods are a great choice especially in the first few weeks of the treatment. Taffy or sticky food can break the expander and make it comes out.
We recommend patients with expander to regularly see their dentist or pediatric dentist.