What is a Maxillary Expander? A Maxillary Expander is an orthodontic appliance to correct your crossbite.  A crossbite is where your top jaw or maxilla is too narrow to fit over your bottom jaw, the mandible. This results in the jaws not biting together correctly and may cause your mandible to deviate to one side on closing ie be crooked.
Why do I need an Expansion Appliance? The Maxillary Expander Appliance is very important to your treatment, as it will correct the width of your top jaw in relation to your bottom jaw and correct your bite.
How long is the Expander worn? The appliance is worn for about 6 months or when it is ready to come out with respect to other treatment you need. Does the expansion hurt? Not likely, but some patients report a ‘pressure’ feeling on their teeth and mouth. Pain control can be taken, as recommended.
How does the Expander work?   The Expander will make the upper jaw wider by putting a gentle but firm force across the palate as shown here. The palate widens through the maxillary suture which is still fairly flexible until all your growth is complete. How is the Expander made for my mouth?
At the first appointment, separating elastics are placed between the teeth to create space for the band fitting a week later. At the second appointment bands are fitted to the teeth, and an impression is taken of your mouth with bands in place. The impression is sent to the laboratory to have your customised Expander Appliance made. The next day the Expander Appliance is cemented into the mouth onto the teeth.   How do I use the Expander Appliance You will be shown how to expand the appliance at the fitting appointment. The expansion screw is turned once a day for about 4 weeks (one turn= ¼ mm).  Expansion will be checked at 2 and 4 weeks.   How will it effect my speech and eating? Both speech and eating will feel strange to start with, but you will get used to the Expander with time.  GOOD LUCK