Palatal Expander
The palatal expander is specially made to expand the upper jaw. Usually the appliance expands the upper arch in 15 to 20 days; however, the appliance is kept in longer until new bone is generated in the expanded arch. After the appliance is placed on the arch, you may experience some pressure and soreness, especially when chewing. If the pain is severe, stop turning and call the office immediately. You will also notice a space forming between the two front teeth. This is natural and the space will close naturally.
Turning Instructions
Once the appliance is cemented, it needs to be activated as instructed; usually twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
1. Carefully insert the key into the hole or slot in the middle of the appliance.
2. Gently and steadily push the key from the front toward the back of your mouth. Do not turn the key forward, only turn backward. Remove the key toward the throat. You automatically bring a new keyhole position forward by pushing the key as far back as possible. It will then be ready for the next activation.
WHAT’S NORMAL:
Some changes in speech and excess saliva for the first few days until the tongue has a chance to get used to the appliance.
Food getting caught between the palate and the appliance. Make sure to brush the roof of your mouth well to get out any food that may be stuck there.
A space developing between the two front teeth after turning has begun.
Some pressure or tightness immediately after turning, usually subsiding shortly after turn.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
Any sharp or severe pain. If this occurs, stop turning and call the office immediately.
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Palatal Bar
A palatal bar is an orthodontic appliance that is placed on the inside of the bands to rotate the upper molars into their correct position. If you have a palatal bar, make sure that you do not press on it with your tongue.
WHAT’S NORMAL:
Some soreness or tenderness of the molars, especially when eating the first few days. You may try Tylenol or Advil to help reduce the pain.
Some changes in speech and excess saliva for the first few days until the tongue has a chance to get used to the appliance.
Some irritation of the tongue until it gets used to the appliance.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
The bar should not be loose or at any time slide in and out of the band that it is attached to. If this happens, a tie has come loose. Please call the office so we can replace the tie.
Any mark in the tongue caused by the bar. If you play with the bar too much with your tongue, you may get an indentation in the tongue. If this happens, call the office so we can add acrylic to the bar to protect the tongue.
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Hi-Pull Headgear |
Cervical Headgear |
Protraction |
Headgear provides a special force that guides the growth of the face and jaw, and it is also used to move the teeth into the proper position. There are different types of headgear, which provide different kinds of force depending on which kind of correction is needed. It is important that it is worn on a regular basis, as instructed by Dr. Moin. Failure to comply may result in prolonged treatment.
There are some important rules to follow when wearing headgear:
Be careful to insert and remove it as instructed by Dr. Moin.
Never try to remove it until the straps have been disconnected.
Never try to lift it over your face.
Never wear it when running or playing sports.
Never allow anyone to grab or pull on your headgear/neckgear.
WHAT’S NORMAL:
Some soreness or tenderness of the teeth the first few days. You may try Tylenol or Advil to help reduce the pain. Do not stop wearing the headgear because it is painful. Continue wearing the headgear every night to allow teeth to get used to the force, and after a few days the soreness will go away.
Difficulty sleeping the first few nights until you get used to having the headgear on.
Irritation or redness on the forehead or neck, depending on the type of headgear you have. If this happens, try using baby powder on the area before putting headgear on. You may also try using cotton or a face cloth to pad the area before putting headgear on.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
Difficulty putting headgear on, or taking it off. This can be caused by tooth movement or by bending of the wires. If this happens, please call the office so headgear can be adjusted.
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E-chain & Power Thread
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E-chain |
Power Thread |
These are elastics that we place in your mouth to help with the closing of spaces. These are not meant to be removable and are intended to stay in your mouth until your next appointment.
WHAT'S NORMAL:
Some tenderness or soreness in the area that the elastic was placed. You may try Tylenol or Advil to help reduce the soreness.
Colored elastics missing from the area that we have placed the elastic. Sometimes in order to fit the e-chain or power thread, we may need to leave off your usual colored elastic.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
Elastic breaking or falling off. Sometimes as teeth move, an elastic may become loose allowing it to fall off. Other times, they may break from eating or brushing. If this happens, please call the office, as an elastic left off may cause space to re-open and may prolong treatment.
Overlapping of teeth. Sometimes teeth move faster than expected, which may cause a little bit of over correction. If this happens, please call the office so we can remove the elastic.
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Extra-Oral Elastics
These are elastics that we may ask you to wear between appointments. These are meant to be removable, and are used to help move the jaw into the correct position and get good occlusion.
It is important that they are worn all of the time or as instructed, even when you are eating. The elastics should be changed two to three times a day, because the elastics do stretch out. Your cooperation is necessary to achieve our goal! Your elastics may not resemble this picture. Please wear your elastics exactly how Dr. Moin has recommended.
WHAT’S NORMAL:
Some soreness or tenderness the first few days. You may take Tylenol or Advil to help reduce pain. Do not remove elastics to alleviate pain, wear them continuously to allow the teeth to get used to the force.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
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A distal jet is an appliance that we use to move the upper molars back into a proper position. It also allows us to gain space so that we may unravel crowding or pull back an over jet.
WHAT'S NORMAL:
Some soreness or tenderness the first few days until you get used to the appliance. You may try Tylenol or Advil to help reduce soreness.
Some changes in speech and extra saliva the first few days until the tongue gets used to the appliance. You may try reading aloud to yourself to get some practice if you are concerned with this.
Some irritation inside of the lips, cheeks, and/or tongue as they get used to the new appliance. You may try placing wax on the area that is irritated to make it more comfortable until you get used to the appliance.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
Anything sharp or poking into the tongue, cheeks, or palate. If this happens, please call the office.
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Lip Bumper
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A lip bumper is an appliance that we use in the lower arch to push back the molars and gain space to unravel crowded teeth. The lip bumper is removable for brushing and cleaning purposes, but is meant to be worn 24 hours a day otherwise.
WHAT’S NORMAL:
Some soreness or tenderness for the first few days until the teeth get used to the appliance. You may try Tylenol or Advil to help reduce the pain.
The lower lip protruding slightly. The lip bumper is not meant to rest up against the gums. This may make it look like the lower lip is sticking out slightly at first, but as teeth move, the lip bumper will push back and the lip will return to normal.
Some changes in speech and excess saliva for the first few days until the mouth gets used to the appliance.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
Anything poking or digging into the gums or cheeks. If this happens, a wire may have been bent while putting in or taking out the lip bumper. Please call the office so that we may adjust the appliance.
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Nance
A Nance is an appliance that we use to hold the position of the molars to prevent them from drifting forward.
WHAT’S NORMAL:
Some soreness or tenderness the first few days until teeth get used to the appliance. You may try Tylenol or Advil to help reduce the pain.
Some changes in speech and excess saliva for the first few days until the tongue gets used to the appliance.
WHAT’S ABNORMAL:
Swelling of the tissue behind the front teeth. If this occurs, you may not be cleaning the area well. It is very important to brush well and keep the area under the appliance as clean as possible.
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