Troubleshooting
Fixed plates
In order to help us identify any difficulties you are having it is important that you can assist us in identifying the cause of the problem by using the following list to identify the main parts of your fixed plate.
We have also included what is likely to cause an issue with each component and what could happen if the problem is not corrected.
Please notify as soon as possible if you notice anything you are unsure about.
Fixed plates are used to:
Make top jaws wider – these are commonly known as RME’s, expansion plates or expanders
Change the way the top and bottom teeth bite together, typically due to a small lower jaw. These plates are given names such as Hanks and Vektor appliances.
All fixed plates are more likely to become damaged if you eat hard or sticky foods such as Minties, Redskins and Fantales or you keep playing with the plate.
Expansion plates
These are only in in the top jaw and have two molar bands placed on the back teeth and two wires sitting on two premolar teeth (slightly forward of the molars). In the middle of the roof of the mouth is a small screw that is turned daily to make the top jaw wider at about ¼ mm per day. Once the top jaw is wide enough then the screw no longer needs to be turned. The screw is designed to as not to unwind after the correct activation is reached—although we often seal the screw with some glue to ensure there are no problems.
The main things to watch out with expansion plates are:
Turning the screw too often, causing over-expansion,
The plate becoming loose which can cause it to dig into your gums or for tooth decay to occur under the molar bands,
Not cleaning properly around the bars near the roof of the mouth, which leads to infection and, if left unmanaged swelling of the mucosa and ulceration
If you are concerned that you are overexpanding the plate, then stop and call us to we can help you to monitor it.
If the plate becomes loose then you need to call us as a soon as possible so we can help you.
If you are concerned about possible infection, call us but also start brushing the area thoroughly with a toothbrush and start using an undiluted 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash from the chemist, such as Savacol or Curasept.
Bite correction plates
These consist of plates attached to the top and bottom teeth, which are joined either by a telescopic arm or a spring that sits between the side teeth and the cheek.
The main things to watch out with bite correction plates are:
The arm sitting between the side teeth and the cheek becoming loose or breaking,
The plate becoming loose which can cause it to dig into your gums or for tooth decay to occur under the molar bands,
The plate not being kept sufficiently clean around the bars near the roof of the mouth, which leads to infection and, if left unmanaged swelling of the mucosa and ulceration.
If any of these things occurs, you should contact us immediately so we can help you. If you are concerned about possible infection, call us but also start brushing the area thoroughly with a toothbrush and start using an undiluted 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash from the chemist, such as Savacol or Curasept.