Palatal Expander

Glen Ross (Slow Palatal Expander)

The Glen Ross palatal expander is designed to gently reshape the roof of the mouth (your palate) to make more room for the teeth. Unless otherwise instructed, the appliance must be worn at all times, except when brushing the teeth, eating, swimming or playing contact sports. You may notice extra saliva in the mouth, and speech may be slightly affected for the next few days

Mechanism

• A center screw mechanism is built into the appliance.  
• To activate the screw, place the special key which we provide into the keyhole of the center screw and gently push the key in the direction of the arrow. The key will automatically stop when the turn has been completed
• After the appliance has been activated it may feel a bit tight in the mouth but this should ease in a couple of hours
• Once the desired amount of correction is achieved you will be instructed to stop activating it, but it is important for you to keep wearing it in order to maintain this correction

Important reminders

• Always remove your appliance before you brush your teeth
• Carefully and thoroughly brush both your teeth and your appliance after every meal and before bed
• Put some water in the sink or a towel on the counter, and brush the appliance over the water or the towel.  This will cushion the appliance if it drops during cleaning
• To brush the appliance, hold the plastic part and brush the entire plate both top and bottom.  Also brush the wires, taking care not to bend or distort them.
• Do not use hot or boiling water to clean the appliance – use warm or cool water only
• If your toothbrush is simply not available, remove your appliance, rinse your mouth with water, and rinse all loose food debris from your appliance before replacing it
• Retainer/ denture cleaner tablets can also be used for cleaning the appliance
• Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum, caramels or gummy bears, and hard foods such as nuts or peanut brittle to prevent breaking or distorting your appliance
• Never wrap it in a tissue or place it in your pocket  
• Do not play with it or flip it with your tongue 
• Remove it only by the clasps at the sides of the appliance

If you lose or break your appliance, or if it does not fit properly, call the office immediately and let us know that you are wearing a “Glen Ross”. If a problem occurs over a weekend, or a time when our office is closed, continue to wear your appliance if you are able. Leave a message on our answering machine and we will contact you as soon as possible.  If you require immediate attention you may wish to contact your family dentist, an emergency dental clinic or your hospital. Please bear in mind that you may be charged for these emergency appointments. 

RAPID PALATAL EXPANDER (RPE)

• A highly specialized, custom-made device designed to gently reshape and widen the upper jaw
• Securely attached to the teeth 
• Mouth may feel quite full
• May notice more saliva, and speech may also be slightly affected 
• Will take a few days to get adjusted to it

Mechanism

• A center screw mechanism built into the appliance  
• It is adjusted by placing a special key, which we will provide, into the keyhole and gently pushing the key in the direction of the arrow toward the back of the mouth
• Follow the schedule we provide for turning the screw After the screw has been turned, the mouth may feel slightly uncomfortable 
• An itching or tingling sensation in the roof of the mouth or on the bridge of the nose may be noticed 
• A space opening between the two front teeth will appear, this space is only temporary
• Once the desired amount of correction is achieved, you will be instructed to stop adjusting it and continue to wear it for a few more months to maintain the correction 
• You will be seen at regular intervals to have your appliance checked

Foods to avoid: sticky foods such as chewing gum, caramels, or gummy bears, and hard foods such as nuts, or peanut brittle.

If you notice any problems with your appliance, please call our office immediately and explain that you are wearing an “RPE”.  If you notice that your appliance is loose, you must stop turning it. If this happens on a weekend or a time when our office is closed, leave a message on our answering machine, and we will contact you as soon as possible.  During that time make sure you are extra careful when you are eating, and make sure that you brush thoroughly and carefully around the loose side of your appliance.  If you require immediate attention you may wish to contact your family dentist, an emergency dental clinic, or your hospital.  Please bear in mind that you may be charged for these emergency appointments.