How to Crank a Mouth Expander

Mouth expanders, sometimes called palatal expanders or Schwartz appliances, may be necessary for some younger dental patients to make room for teeth to grow, or for other patients to make room for further dental work. Both stationary and removable mouth expanders need to be widened periodically for them to serve their purpose, and due to their frequency, it is usually much easier and more convenient for the patients to crank the expanders themselves.

Instructions

• 1

  Find the hole for the screw on the mouth expander, located on the center of the white joint between the two metal sides of the mouth expander. You might need to use a mirror for this.

• 2

  Insert the key into the hole of the screw, making sure to get it into the correct hole and not simply a gap in the material. The key should not hit the roof of your mouth, but should be stopped by the back of the screw hole.

• 3

  Turn the key towards the back of your mouth, as far as you can without forcing it. You should be able to see the next screw hole where the original hole was before you inserted the key.

• 4

  Remove the key carefully, making sure not to accidentally turn the screw backwards and undoing the turn in the process.