Making your Orthodontic Expander (RPE)

RPEs (Rapid Palatal Expanders), RMEs (Rapid Maxillary Expander), Hyrax, Expanders, are just a few of the names attributed to the appliances that help to expand your palate during phase 1 of orthodontic treatment.

At ODL we fabricate your expander 1 of 2 ways.

1. The traditional way: What you see in this video. This process is completely bent, welded, soldered, and polished by hand.
2. The newer 3D Cad/Cam process: is not seen in this video. This is where ODL designs the entire appliance in software. We send that design to a metal 3D printer that will then print out the design. Some hand polishing is still required.

This appliance was made using laser sintered bands. Laser bands are custom-made bands to form perfectly to your teeth based on your 3D scan.
Remember not all laser sintered bands are created equal.

-The fabrication process starts with a Cad/Cad digitally fabricated band, done in the propriety ODL format.
-These files then go to a laser sintering 3D metal printer.
-Then the bands need to be deburred and polished.
-Finally, the bands need to be connected to your appliance via Laser welding and soldering.

ODL believes we have mastered this technique having been one of the first US producers of this technology 5 years ago, but we are committed to continual improvment in all areas with the help of a lean manufacturing mentality!

For more on our bonding technique please see here:

Check out more here

[skitterlad]

I'd Love to see the custom band fit and making process

[JoeBlack-gx]

Wow, I want a job just like this! May I ask what background/major do I have to take to work in this field?

[supersigma-ez]

i am from india i also want to set up Palatal Expander

[vivianoni]

I'm to buy an expander via an online vendor, with self-made dental impressions. I really hope I needn't have the device fitted by a local clinician. Once 3P labor comes into play, patient costs rise astronomically.

[angelerowley]

Will soldering the old fashion way damage the 3D Resin model??