Palatal Expander​

The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. The animation below will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

Adjusting the palatal expander

You can also download these instructions in a printable PDF document.

Cherry Orthodontics, Dr. William Cherry DMD, Orthodontist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Orthodontist in Schnecksville Pennsylvania, orthodontic treatments, spark clear aligners, surgical orthodontics, tads, types of braces, virtual smile assessment, common orthodontic issues bethlehem & schnecksville, clear aligners, damon smile, orthodontics for Adults, orthodontics for teens, orthodontics for children, Invisalign, Itero Digital scans, dentofacial orthopedics, mouthguards, retainers, emergency orthodontic care, palatal expanders, two phase treatment, invisalign smileview, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontics in bethlehem,orthodontics in schnecksville, Dr. William Cherry, DMD Family orthodontist, BETHLEHEM OFFICE (484) 893-5000,SCHNECKSVILLE OFFICE (610) 769-5100,NEW PATIENTS (484) 893-4410
Cherry Orthodontics, Dr. William Cherry DMD, Orthodontist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Orthodontist in Schnecksville Pennsylvania, orthodontic treatments, spark clear aligners, surgical orthodontics, tads, types of braces, virtual smile assessment, common orthodontic issues bethlehem & schnecksville, clear aligners, damon smile, orthodontics for Adults, orthodontics for teens, orthodontics for children, Invisalign, Itero Digital scans, dentofacial orthopedics, mouthguards, retainers, emergency orthodontic care, palatal expanders, two phase treatment, invisalign smileview, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontics in bethlehem,orthodontics in schnecksville, Dr. William Cherry, DMD Family orthodontist, BETHLEHEM OFFICE (484) 893-5000,SCHNECKSVILLE OFFICE (610) 769-5100,NEW PATIENTS (484) 893-4410

Step 1

In a well-lit area, tip the patient’s head back.

Cherry Orthodontics, Dr. William Cherry DMD, Orthodontist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Orthodontist in Schnecksville Pennsylvania, orthodontic treatments, spark clear aligners, surgical orthodontics, tads, types of braces, virtual smile assessment, common orthodontic issues bethlehem & schnecksville, clear aligners, damon smile, orthodontics for Adults, orthodontics for teens, orthodontics for children, Invisalign, Itero Digital scans, dentofacial orthopedics, mouthguards, retainers, emergency orthodontic care, palatal expanders, two phase treatment, invisalign smileview, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontics in bethlehem,orthodontics in schnecksville, Dr. William Cherry, DMD Family orthodontist, BETHLEHEM OFFICE (484) 893-5000,SCHNECKSVILLE OFFICE (610) 769-5100,NEW PATIENTS (484) 893-4410

Step 2

Place the key in the hole until it is firmly in place.

Cherry Orthodontics, Dr. William Cherry DMD, Orthodontist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Orthodontist in Schnecksville Pennsylvania, orthodontic treatments, spark clear aligners, surgical orthodontics, tads, types of braces, virtual smile assessment, common orthodontic issues bethlehem & schnecksville, clear aligners, damon smile, orthodontics for Adults, orthodontics for teens, orthodontics for children, Invisalign, Itero Digital scans, dentofacial orthopedics, mouthguards, retainers, emergency orthodontic care, palatal expanders, two phase treatment, invisalign smileview, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontics in bethlehem,orthodontics in schnecksville, Dr. William Cherry, DMD Family orthodontist, BETHLEHEM OFFICE (484) 893-5000,SCHNECKSVILLE OFFICE (610) 769-5100,NEW PATIENTS (484) 893-4410

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.

Cherry Orthodontics, Dr. William Cherry DMD, Orthodontist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Orthodontist in Schnecksville Pennsylvania, orthodontic treatments, spark clear aligners, surgical orthodontics, tads, types of braces, virtual smile assessment, common orthodontic issues bethlehem & schnecksville, clear aligners, damon smile, orthodontics for Adults, orthodontics for teens, orthodontics for children, Invisalign, Itero Digital scans, dentofacial orthopedics, mouthguards, retainers, emergency orthodontic care, palatal expanders, two phase treatment, invisalign smileview, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontics in bethlehem,orthodontics in schnecksville, Dr. William Cherry, DMD Family orthodontist, BETHLEHEM OFFICE (484) 893-5000,SCHNECKSVILLE OFFICE (610) 769-5100,NEW PATIENTS (484) 893-4410

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.

Cherry Orthodontics, Dr. William Cherry DMD, Orthodontist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Orthodontist in Schnecksville Pennsylvania, orthodontic treatments, spark clear aligners, surgical orthodontics, tads, types of braces, virtual smile assessment, common orthodontic issues bethlehem & schnecksville, clear aligners, damon smile, orthodontics for Adults, orthodontics for teens, orthodontics for children, Invisalign, Itero Digital scans, dentofacial orthopedics, mouthguards, retainers, emergency orthodontic care, palatal expanders, two phase treatment, invisalign smileview, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontics in bethlehem,orthodontics in schnecksville, Dr. William Cherry, DMD Family orthodontist, BETHLEHEM OFFICE (484) 893-5000,SCHNECKSVILLE OFFICE (610) 769-5100,NEW PATIENTS (484) 893-4410

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