Patient Information UNI-Smile Distractor®
(surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion)
Click here to download the patient information as pdf in ENGLISH (paper A4 EN) 
Click here to download the patient information as pdf in DUTCH (paper A4 NL)
Click here to download the patient information as pdf in FRENCH (paper A4 FR)
Click here to download the patient information as pdf in GERMAN (paper A4 DE)
Click here to download the patient information as pdf in SPANISH (paper A4 ES)
A new consultation is scheduled a week later. Your physician will remove the blocking screw. This makes the distractor ready for the activation.
There are four holes in the mid-body of the distractor, one for every quarter of a turn. The distractor is activated twice a day, a quarter of a turn, what is the equivalent of 0,5 mm a day.
Insert the pin of the blue key in the hole in the middle of the distractor. Push the key slightly downwards and backwards. This makes the key hinging at the end of the white joint. Your surgeon will explain this the first time for you with a mirror.
By turning twice a day, we open the palate ± 0,5 mm. So, After 10 days, we can expect an opening of 5 mm between the two front teeth, equal to a transversal bony distraction of 5 mm.
Usually the distraction period takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the amount of widening needed.
The opening between your two central incisions reflects this widening. Once the widening of the palate is achieved, the fixing screw is placed again by the physician. This makes the distractor passive again.
The distractor should be kept firm and immobile in the mouth for 3 to 5 months. Sometimes the distractor becomes loose during the healing process. Then a visit to your physician is necessary to retighten or remove the distractor.
Clean your distractor daily with a child toothbrush.
