How to turn an expander
Step 1
Start with having the child lie on his or her back, with their head at the edge of a bed or over the arm of a sofa. Use adequate lighting from a bright lamp or flashlight.
Step 2
Have your child open their mouth as wide as possible, as that will minimize the gag reflex.
Step 3
Now place the key in the center hole and start turning in the direction of the arrows that are on the expander.
Step 4
Turn the expander toward the back of the mouth until you can see the next hole
Step 5
Carefully remove the key in a down and back direction. Caution: Be very careful not to “unturn” the expander when removing the key
Additional Directions
- Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions as to how often to turn the expander
- Try to make the adjustments at about the same time every day
Cautions for all expanders
- Pulling an expander key in an outward direction can cause separation of the metal portion, which may be swallowed
- Do not skip any days of turning the expander. Skipping a day may lengthen the time for the expansion
- If nuts, seeds or hard food particles block the key hole, carefully clear the hole with a toothpick before turning
- If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, DO NOT continue to turn the expander until after you have spoken to the doctor
Diet and cleaning your expander
- Maintain a soft diet for the first few days after receiving the expander
- Avoid hard or sticky foods, like popcorn or caramels. Those type of foods might dislodge the expander
- Brush thoroughly after meals to keep the expander free of food and plaque
What to expect with an expander
- A temporary lisp or slurred speech
- Excess saliva for a few days
- Possible initial difficulty in chewing and swallowing
- Pressure on the teeth, palate and nose after adjustments
- Temporary irritation of the tongue
- Possible headache
- A slight change in facial appearance
- The bite may feel “off”
- Certain foods will catch on the expander
- A temporary space will appear between the upper front teeth as expansion progresses
If you have excess saliva, swallow before speaking. With discomfort use a mild, over-the-counter pain reliever. If you are experiencing any other issues with your expander, click here for our emergency help page.
These are normal and expected effects of a rapid palatal expander and are not reasons to remove the expander prematurely. Braces are usually required following palatal expansion to align the teeth and fine-tune the bite.