The VECS™ palate expander
A patented device for maxillary expansion that is quick, safe and easy to use — with activation from outside the mouth.
Rapid palate expansion, reimagined
The VECS™ rapid palate expander is a patented device developed to give the orthodontic industry an innovative solution for maxillary expansion. Because activation is simple and takes place outside the mouth, it is a cost-effective solution for the doctor thanks to the savings in chair-side instructional time.
Four crucial attributes
The name is an acronym for the four attributes this product is built around.
Variable activation increments
Increments of 0.2–0.25mm are the standard of a traditional palate expander. The VECS™ delivers 0.2mm with one full rotation of the key — but should the doctor want a different increment, turning the key more or less customizes the process. When treating an apprehensive patient, half-turn activations for the first few days build confidence.
Ease of use
Ease of use is the defining characteristic of the VECS™. The activation screw-head is easy to see, and the ball-ended key can be inserted even when it is off-axis by up to 20 degrees. A target symbol is embossed on one side of the key so the proper direction to turn is obvious — the same motion as turning a car key.
Cost efficiency
When an appliance is simple, less time is spent teaching the patient how to use it. Chair-side instructional time is reduced at delivery, and the office avoids re-instruction appointments — making the VECS™ cost less in practice than a traditional expander.
Safety
Safety is the most critical factor for a medical device. Accidental swallowing or aspiration of an activation key is a life-threatening issue the orthodontic literature has warned about for decades. The VECS™ is immune to this problem: the large key is handled entirely outside of the mouth and cannot be swallowed.
Two expansion ranges
Each VECS™ ships with one blue-handled activation key. Instructions for use, product dimensions and material reports are available on request.
VECS™ Lab Kit
For use in laboratory fabrication of the VECS™ palate expander. The kit includes 2 lab hex keys for proper alignment of the activation screw, 10 rubber O-rings for replacing any damaged during fabrication, and the uniquely designed VECS™ bending tool.
That bending tool is specific to the VECS™ but also works with any traditional-style expander the lab may have. The existing bending tool on the market will not work with the VECS™.
VECS™ Activation Keys — 5 pack
This user-friendly activation key is safe for the patient thanks to its ergonomic design, and it answers the operator's most common question: which way to turn? Push on the embossed target symbol and you are activating the expansion correctly — the same action as turning a car key.
Insert the hex key into the activation screw with the plastic handle pointing up toward the patient's nose (the twelve o'clock position). From the operator's perspective, turn clockwise, pushing on the target side, to begin expansion. Packaged in quantities of five.
Dr. Jeffrey J. Staples, D.D.S.
A graduate of Whittier College, Loyola University School of Dentistry and the USC Orthodontic Department, Dr. Staples is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a former clinical professor for the UCLA School of Dentistry's Orthodontic Department. He is the inventor of the VECS™ palate expander.
Order the VECS™ system
Expanders, activation keys and lab kits — order online or by fax.