P.I.E. - Press-On Incremental Expanders

In order to create beautiful smiles sometimes we need to make room for all of your teeth to come in. This we do by extracting teeth, or expanding the upper jaw.

Until now the upper jaw has always been expanded the same way. A jack screw applies pressure to the molar area forcing the jaw to expand. Most all other types of expanders use a jack screw and deliver all the force of the expansion in an instant. The effect of too much force too fast can result in pain, discomfort, headaches, dizziness, and speaking and eating difficulty.

We have a better way—Press-on Incremental Expanders (P.I.E.) Press-on Incremental Expanders are a series of plastic palatal expanders that gently increase the width of the upper jaw. Each expander consists of a thin strip of thermoformed, and reinforced plastic that extends across the roof of the mouth and snaps onto dental attachments. Each device is polished smooth, and adapts closely to the palatal tissue in order to ensure maximum patient comfort and to minimize bulk.

Before bed each night the expander is removed, the teeth are brushed and flossed, and the next expander is pressed into place until the next night. Our new system allows the force of the expansion to be delivered slowly over a twenty four hour period giving the patient’s mouth time to conform to the shape of the appliance.

With the P.I.E. system there is no need to search for the hole in an expander, or to wonder if you have turned the screw properly.

One question we are asked frequently is about children removing the appliance themselves. Below is a picture of the dental attachments that are bonded to the outside of the molar teeth. These attachments allow the expanders to press onto the teeth and hold the appliance in place securely.

They are not easily removed by children, but are easily removed each night before bed with the help of an adult.

 

Patient Testimonial:

"My son Andrew just finished going through the "expander process" and I wanted to let you know that it went extremely well and I was very impressed. It amazes me how this expander worked. I was used to the metal contraption from my "braces" days where you had to turn the key each night. The new expander was a lot less invasive and less traumatic and I believe less painful. He had no pain or discomfort and could eat just fine with it in all the time. The expander process was a success with virtually no disruption to our lifestyle and more importantly, no pain! THANKS!"
- Denise Hartman Boyertown, PA

 

Before & After's

As you can see below the upper jaw has been expanded to make enough room for all of the permanent teeth to easily be guided into place with the help of braces. The P.I.E system of expanders is one step in the process of creating beautiful smiles.