- Joined
- Nov 16, 2025
- Messages
- 3,387
- Solutions
- 13
- Online time
- 3d 22h
- Reputation
- 3,847
- Location
- Best Country OAT
- Guild
- The Nutbusters
highkey luv this song
Introduction:
This Method is theoretical and only works if youre 16 or under
This guide is about an hyrax rpe expander, you can make it yourself for under 150$ and it does not have drews drilled into your skull like a marpe for example
1. Materials
2.Dental Spacing
3.Impressions and measurement
4.Crafting the expander
5.Installing the Expander
6.Routine
7.Reverse pull hooks (optional)
8. Risks
9. Tooth gap
2.Dental Spacing
3.Impressions and measurement
4.Crafting the expander
5.Installing the Expander
6.Routine
7.Reverse pull hooks (optional)
8. Risks
9. Tooth gap
I Reccomend getting ur materials very cheap from places like ebay or aliexpress.
i recommend not getting the cheapest items because they might be low quality.
the Only exception will be the dental plaster and the play dough since you will pay unneccesary shipping so just buy it from a local store
i recommend not getting the cheapest items because they might be low quality.
the Only exception will be the dental plaster and the play dough since you will pay unneccesary shipping so just buy it from a local store
1. Materials
1. Elastic seperators 5-10$
2. Dental floss string/ Nylon floss 2-10$
3. Dental impression tray 5-10$
4. Dental impression putty 10-30$
5.Deantal plaster (alginate) +-10$/500g
6. Play dough (any kind that doesnt Move easily) 2-10$
7. Orthodontic expander kit (Rapid palatal Expander or Hyrax) 5-15$
8. 0.9-1.0 mm stainless steel dental wire 3$
9.Molar bands 3-8$
10. Soldering iron/kit 6-20$
11. Rounded nose pliers 5-10$
flat nose pliers 5-10$
and side cuttters 5-15$ or combination pliers 10-20$
(if you have orthodontic pliers use them)
12. Double headed mouth opener 1$
13. Dental Mirror 3$
2. Dental Spacing
For the molar bands (9) to fit, you will need space around the first molar.
on some rare occasions you might have some space but most likely not.
To create space in between the first molar we will use dental elastic seperators (1).
You will have to wear them for around one week.
for some people it might hurt but it will be worth it.
to place the elastic seperators (1) you will need 2 pieces of dental floss (2).
And follow the steps from the video i provided:
3. Impressions and measurements
Before we even start purchasing our materials you need to check what size your molars are so your molar bands (9) fit.
for that we will use dental floss or nylon floss(2).
Wrap the dental floss or nylon floss (2) around your molar at the bottom and mark it with a marker so you know the lower perimeter.
Some dentists guess the size, and fit it until they get it right, but i know some people dont have the money for that, or you could just buy an expander pre made.
Use this chart i provided to find your size and add 2 sizes to it so youre sure it fits
now after dental spacing we are gonna make a mold of our upper arch.
for that you need your dental impression tray (3) and your dental impression putty (4).
mix the 2 parts of the dental impression putty and put it into the impression tray.
make sure thet roof of your mouth is also very clean and then put the impression tray in your mouth and make sure the handly is aligned with your nose.
Now, bite on it and make sure your impression is clear.
Put your tongue under it so it isnt part of the impression.
Leave the impression tray as long as the manufacturers specify, usually around 2-5 minutes.
Now rinse your mouth (let me rinse your mouth
)The next stage is pouring the dental stone (5).
Start by mixing the powder with water, the ratio usually depends on the specific brand since there isnt an universal ration.
Now pouring something on your table or whatever youre working on.
Pour the dental stone slowly and gently from left to right and back.
If you have a vibrator smt (i can be your vibrator) or something like a phone, use it on the impression so the air bubbles go to the top, feel free to pop them.
Now let it sit until it dries up and hardens.
Dental stone hardens fast so be quick.
You can also ask an orthodontist to do your impression
4. Crafting the Expander
to craft an expander you need your dental impression ready.
First fit the molar band(9) onto the first molar.
Try to fit in and shape the band on the molar.
If there is stone in between the teeth, carefully chip it away so it matches yoyur teeth, dont mess this up because its the most expensive part to redo the dental impression.
Once the molar band is in, keep it there.
Next, we are gonna weld the wire(8) that touches the premolars to the molar band with the soldering iron (10).
It has to touch the second premolar and the first and place it as low as possible.
sometimes you have to bend the wire to touch both premolars.
Make sure it doesnt touch the soft tissue or you will damage it.
After that, get your expander and test it to see if it expands.
If it works, draw a line along the midpalatine suture as close as possible without it touching the roof of your mouth.
If it does touch it, bend the wires so it doesnt touch the palate.
When its in place, put a small piece of play dough under it so it doesnt move.
Mark the places where you will cut the wires of the expander, just where its touching or a little higher.
Then cut it and place the expander back, you can see where it was placed because of the play dough.
Then take your sodering iron and weld the expander to the molar bands.
ik you might not understand everything at first so i provided a video
5. Installing the appliance
Let your appliance cool down and clean it with some water.
Make sure to also sterilize it.
if the appliance fits on the dental impression it should also fit in your mouth (guess what doesnt).
To install the appliance you need your double headed mouth opener (12) in for space but this part is optional.
If the appliance fits and you dont feel the need to adjust it then u have a ready to use RPE Hyrax expander.
6. Routine
The Routine depends on the patient do research for yoursef instead of just turnin whenever you feel like.
After expansion keep the expander in our use a retainer so you dont relapse.
7.Reverse pull hooks
This method is optional but if you also want to use a reverse face pull maks during your expansion you need to add reverse pull hooks an you expander.
to make them, get some steel wire and bend it so you have 2 equal hooks.
then weld them to the molar bands, so get 1/4 elastics for your reverse pull face mask and the face mask.
8. Risks
This isnt meant to scare you but to warn you of the dangers of the DIY RPE
1. Dental tipping
if youre too olld for the expander and your mid-palatal suture is partly fused, most of the pressure will go to the teeth instead of the palate, cause your teeth to tip outwards.
this is only needed when your teeth tip inwards
2.Pain
not a risk, but u can feel pain during dental spacing and expansion
3. Toothloss (giga over)
If you experience moving teeth remove the appliance immediately and go to a licensed professional
4. infection
getting your material from bad manufacturers may cause oral infection
the materials are meant to stay in your mouth for months
if your materials are made from stainless steel ur good thp
9. Tooth gap
This is a normal side effect that comes with palatal expansion
however i think everyone would want to fix this
you just need small elastic bands and put them around your front teeth.
you can do the first two or the first 4.
however there is a HUGE risk with this method
if the bands are too tight or you not careful enough, the band can climb up to the root and after that its basically over
thx for staying and enjoy ur hyrax!
and i wouldnt have anything against ppl tagging some mods so maaaaybe i can get contributor
