PLAN YOUR VISIT

It is totally normal to have some discomfort associated with tooth movement for the first 24-72 hours after an orthodontic adjustment.  Typically this discomfort can be managed easily with over the counter pain medication as needed, such as Tylenol, but distraction and keeping yourself busy is often the best medicine!

You’ll need:

• The key provided by Dr. Orabi

• A mirror (optional, but helpful)

• Good lighting

• Clean hands

1. Locate the Keyhole

• Look at the center of the expander (on the roof of your mouth).

• You should see a small hole or slot—this is where the key goes.

2. Insert the Key

• Insert the key gently into the hole. Push it toward the back of your mouth.

• Make sure it’s fully seated.

3. Make the Turn

• Push the key straight back until it stops. This rotates the mechanism and expands the device.

• You should see a new hole come into view (this confirms a full turn).

Important: Always turn it toward the back of the mouth, never forward unless instructed otherwise.

4. Remove the Key

• Remove the key by pulling it straight out toward the throat—not back the way it came. This prevents undoing the turn.

5. Track the Turns

• Keep a chart or record as directed by Dr. Orabi (e.g., 1 turn per day for 2 weeks).

⏱ How Often?

Only turn it as often as Dr. Orabi told you. Overturning can cause pain, damage, or complications.

⚠️ Signs to Watch For:

• Pain or pressure (some is normal—too much isn’t)

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• A gap forming between front teeth (this is expected!)

• Trouble turning the key

Hard/crunchy and sticky/chewy foods should be avoided with braces and palatal expanders as they can dislodge or break brackets and appliances.  While we understand that mistakes happen, breakage of your braces can slow down your overall treatment time so we want to avoid this as much as possible. If your appliances do break, please give our office a text or call so that we can help set up a time for a repair in office.

Optimal oral hygiene is key to a smooth orthodontic treatment.  When your appliances are placed, we will review this in GREAT detail with you.  Thorough brushing (capturing all areas above, below, and in between your braces) is key. Tools such as proxy brushes, Platypus flossers, and a WaterPik are excellent supplemental tools to keep your braces or palate expander sparkling clean.

Poking wires can be a very normal part of orthodontic treatment, as wires can slide as a result of expected orthodontic tooth movement.  If you have a poking arch wire, you can use a cuticle cutter or nail clipper to smooth an irritating wire at home.  A pencil eraser can also be used to shift a wire that has slid off to one side back into place.  If you are unable to make your archwire comfortable at home, wax is also an excellent tool to hold you over until you are able to make it into our office for us to adjust the wire for you.

Your Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20-22 hours per day to achieve optimal tooth movement, and each aligner should be worn for 1 full week.  Aligners should be removed for eating and drinking (anything besides water), as well as during brushing.  If you miss more than 4-5 hours of aligner wear per day, 1 additional day should be added to that aligner's duration.

If you lose an Invisalign aligner during treatment, don't panic! Give us a call and we’ll decide whether to order you a replacement aligner or have you move on to the next aligner in your sequence and add on as many days as you have missed from the previous aligner to the next aligner's course. Make sure to always save your last aligner.

Retention is one of the most vital portions of your orthodontic treatment. Whether you are treated with braces or Invisalign, maintaining your final alignment is achieved by wearing retainers and this is a LIFETIME commitment.  Your teeth will be held in place for as long as you wear your retainers, but if retainer usage is discontinued it is very likely that your teeth will begin to relapse back. When your treatment is completed at Orabi Orthodontics we will review your retention protocol with you and continue with scheduled follow up visits in office for approximately 1 year.