Dr. Yu, Orthodontist, Explains the FULL Expansion Protocol | MIND Procedure Week 1 Palate Expansion

One week after my MIND procedure surgery and I'm at Dr. Tim Yu's office (Face Focused Orthodontics) for my first orthodontic check-in. This is a detailed appointment where Dr. Yu walks me through the entire expansion turning protocol, the aligner system, the timeline, and what to expect over the next several months. If you're considering adult palate expansion, this video breaks down exactly how the process works step by step. 00:00 - Initial Check-in, Recovery, & Unexpected Lip Tie Release 01:59 - Adjusting to the Expander: Diet, Cleaning, and Speech 03:26 - Broad Overview of the Treatment Plan 05:37 - The Hexagonal Barrel & How a "Turn" Works 08:11 - Visual Demonstration with the Expander Key 09:40 - Practice Run: Inserting and Turning the Key 11:14 - The Turning Protocol & Using Trays 1 and 2 14:14 - The Space Appears: Switching to Tray 3 Protocol 16:46 - Recap of the Daily Turning Cycle 18:25 - Expansion Timeline & Upper Jaw Limits 21:48 - Preparing for Rubber Bands 23:38 - Correcting Pre-existing Tooth Rotations 24:41 - Trying on the Clear Aligners 25:30 - The Good News About Eating Solid Foods This video covers: pain management update and why I stopped taking hydrocodone, adjusting to life with the palatal expander (eating, talking, food getting stuck in the device), the lip tie release I didn't know about and what it means for long-term dental health, how the expansion wrench works on the hexagonal barrel (flat side to corner equals one turn), the full turning protocol broken into two phases, phase one where you do two turns per day until a hairline gap appears between the front teeth (about 3-4mm), why the first two aligner trays are cut in half and tray two is just a backup for tray one, switching to tray three once the gap appears and starting a 5-day tray cycle with turns on day two and day four, the overall expansion timeline of roughly 4-5 months followed by 8-12 months of alignment and refinement, what the consolidation phase is and why you hold the expansion for 5-6 months after, when rubber bands start (around tray 10-11 at about 6 weeks), how lower teeth get expanded orthodontically to match the upper jaw, confirmation that tooth rotations will also be corrected during expansion, why you can eat solid food with the MIND procedure unlike traditional jaw surgery, and trying the aligners in for the first time. This is part of my series documenting the full MIND procedure and adult maxillary expansion journey as a 35 year old. I'm sharing everything so others considering this procedure know exactly what to expect. MY DOCTORS: Surgery: Dr. Kevin Coppelson, DDS, MD - Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon The Breathe Institute / Greater Ventura Oral & Facial Surgery Orthodontics & Expansion: Dr. Tim Yu, DDS, MSD - Board-Certified Orthodontist Face Focused Orthodontics, Agoura Hills, CA DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. Always consult with qualified doctors about your own treatment. If you're an adult researching jaw expansion, palate expansion, or the MIND procedure, subscribe so you don't miss the next update. Drop your questions in the comments. #MINDProcedure #AdultPalateExpansion #MaxillaryExpansion #JawExpansion #PalateExpander #MidfaceExpansion #SARPE #MARPE #MSE #DrCoppelson #DrTimYu #AdultOrthodontics #JawSurgery #PalateSurgery #AirwayHealth #NarrowPalate #JawExpansionRecovery #OralSurgery #BreatheInstitute #FaceFocusedOrthodontics #PalateExpanderAdult #AngelAligners