Upper arch
expansion appliance

Name: Wired Orthodontics
Telephone: 07 3260 6855

Sometimes, braces alone are not enough to enhance your bite or create facial symmetry. In young patients with growing jaws, an upper arch expansion device can be extremely beneficial in preparing their smile for braces and making room for their incoming teeth.

What is an upper arch expansion appliance?

The upper arch expansion appliance, also known as an RME, is an appliance used to widen your upper arch, creating enough space to straighten your teeth and align them properly with your lower teeth.

The active phase of expansion typically lasts only a few weeks, after which the appliance remains in place for about 12 months to allow new bone to form in the expanded area.

Expanding the upper arch helps align the upper teeth for a better bite and can also enhance nasal breathing by widening the air passages.

What is an upper arch expansion appliance?

How to get started with an RME

Fitting your RME will require a couple of appointments:

1. During your initial visit, we will use our advanced intraoral scanner to take a detailed scan of your teeth. Dr Sep will then place separating elastics between your upper molars to create space for the appliance. (20 minutes)

2. In your second appointment, we will fit and secure your new expansion appliance. After it's in place, you'll receive a demonstration on how to use it properly. (30 minutes)

Activating your RME

For your upper arch expansion appliance to work, it must be activated precisely according to Dr Sep’s instructions.

The patient should lie down with their head resting in a parent’s lap. To activate the appliance, insert the key into the hole—just enough to reach it—and gently push the key from the front toward the back of the mouth until a new hole appears.

This will prepare the appliance for the next activation. You may feel some pressure as the arch expands and possibly a tingling sensation near the bridge of your nose.

Following the activations, a gap may develop between your two front teeth, indicating that the appliance is working as intended. This gap will close once the expander is no longer being activated.

You might also notice a temporary change in your speech. Speak slowly and clearly until your tongue adjusts to the new appliance. Additionally, you may observe a slight indentation on the surface of your tongue. This is normal and should disappear after the appliance is removed.

Please write down the date of each turn you make on your appliance so you can keep a record of your activation.

Progress checks

We will need to monitor you and your appliance regularly until Dr Sep advises you to stop activating the expander. Dr Sep will continue to see you throughout the holding phase of the expander until it is time for removal.