Patient Education Series
Expander
Congratulations on getting your expander with Austin Orthodontic Arts. Please know that the expander will take a couple of days for you to adjust to. You or your parent will be "turning" the expander at home as prescribed by your orthodontist with the provided key that we have given you. When turning your expander, you want to make sure that you are in a very lighted area. Once the patient is ready, insert the key into the available hole that you see. You will press down and back and this will accomplish one turn of the expander.
After turning the expander, please also know that the patient will experience pressure from somewhere for fifteen to twenty minutes, but it will subside. As space can also develop in between the upper front teeth, but please don't worry. It will close naturally over time. Keeping your expander clean and safe is very easy by simply brushing it while brushing your teeth and avoiding hard sticky foods along with foreign objects and your fingers that can loosen it or damage it.
Should your expander become loose, damaged or bothersome? Please give our office a call and we will be happy to guide you on the next steps.