Palatal Expander

The palatal expander "expands" (widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Dr. O'Leary will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. Typically expansion occurs over one month. The screw is turned each day with the special tool provided by our office widening the upper arch as it expands. When the desired result is achieved, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

When the adjustment is made, you will feel a slight pressure sensation in the nose area. This feeling lasts for only a short time, or may not even occur for some people. As the arch is expanded, the front teeth will separate and eventually have a space between them. This is also temporary. When the expansion of the appliance is completed, the teeth will naturally slide toward each other reducing the space. This will not reduce the expansion gained in the molar area.

At first, it is possible for food to get caught on the roof of your mouth. This may occur until some expansion is gained. Rinsing vigorously with water or mouthwash and using the proxabrush provided to you are ways to remove any particles.

It will take a day or two to get use to the appliance. It may be slightly harder to talk since your tongue isn't used to the expander. You may have more saliva in your mouth until your mouth becomes accustomed to the expander. Your tongue may have minor soreness from the new appliance. These things are all normal and temporary. Call our office if you experience more than these slight symptoms.