Frequently Asked Questions
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Please click here to see how the Keles Keyless Expander is activated in the mouth.
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Please click here to see how Keles Keyless Expander can be cleaned with the tooth brush.
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Please click here to sea the construction of Keles Keyless Expandor in the laboratory.
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Please click here to see the cementation of Keles Keyless Expander to the mouth.
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a. Gently press the activation arm straight down using a finger. This can be done by the patient or a parent/guardian.
b. Then, lift the arm back up. This resets it to its original position, preparing it for the next activation.
video|Activation|https://www.aegis-star.com/s/2-Arm-Design-20MB.mp4
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Yes, the KKE can be reversed either inside the mouth or outside using the reversal kit.
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No, it is not possible for the patient to activate the arm with their tongue due to several reasons:
i. Force: The expander applies 5–10kg (50–100N) of force—too much for the tongue to overcome.
ii. Grip: The lever is rounded, making it difficult to grasp or pull with the tongue.
iii. Tongue Motion: The tongue may touch the arm but cannot pull it downward effectively.
iv. Arm Positioning: The arm sits parallel to and above the tongue, so upward tongue movement only contacts its underside.
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i. During Activation:
1. Doctor Guidance: Patients are instructed not to exceed the doctor’s prescribed activation.
2. Force: One activation equals 0.2mm and requires 5–10kg (50-100N) of force. Attempting multiple turns becomes physically difficult.
3. Palatal Response: Excessive activation causes immediate discomfort, discouraging overuse.
4. The Stopper: At maximum opening, the stopper (a protrusion at the two ends of the pin) rests against the level change within the block. This feature prevents accidental overexpansion beyond the maximum activation capacity of the expander and eliminates the risk of disassembly.
ii. During Retention:
1. Arm Removal: After active expansion, the arm can be removed using a common cutting bur, eliminating further activation risk. (Add cutting the arm animation)
video|Block:Pin Locking Mechanism|https://www.aegis-star.com/s/The-Stopper-Animation-20-MB.mp4
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The Keles Keyless Expander has been used in over 1,000 patients with no significant reports of tampering. Its arm sits parallel to the tongue, keeping it discreet and out of the way.
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A built-in restrictor at the base of the arm ensures it stays parallel to the palate. This prevents pressure against the palate, avoids tongue irritation, and makes the arm easy to access for the next activation.
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No. Each full activation is a 115-degree downward turn of the arm, equivalent to 0.2mm of expansion. Partial turns are not possible.
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Yes, patients can self-activate as long as they follow their doctor’s instructions for how often and how much to activate. If the patient cannot manage it, a guardian or parent should assist.
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a. It’s possible that the expander appearing “frozen” is functioning exactly as intended. The inventors specifically designed it so that, when fully expanded, the stopper rests against the stepped edge of the block. This feature prevents accidental overexpansion or disassembly. You can learn more about this unique design here under the "Maximum Expansion Locking System" title: https://www.aegis-star.com/keles-keyless-expander#design
It will be important to learn after how many turns this happened. The 8mm should lock after 40 turns, the 10mm should lock after 50 turns, the 12mm should lock after 60 turns.
b. In some cases, if you are using the KKE as a MARPE for an adult, the resistance might be too high; therefore, SARPE may be recommended
c. If the patient has poor oral hygiene where the food debris might have gotten lodged in the gear mechanism, though unlikely. To resolve this intraorally:
Clean the wheel mechanism thoroughly using a regular toothbrush and or using an interdental toothbrush. It should be cleaned as shown in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0zu0a_atRI
Try reversing the expander (turning it backwards) with the Wrench (found in the reversal kit) once or twice to dislodge any obstruction. Here is an animation on how to reverse it: https://www.aegis-star.com/keles-keyless-expander#intentional-reversal
If the issue still remains, attempt to activate the screw again using the wrench. The wrench provides greater leverage due to its longer handle, which can help overcome resistance. Once it’s moving smoothly again, the patient can resume activation manually with their finger.
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We recommend watching the following instructional video for proper cleaning techniques. It can also be shared with your patients: