▲ 1 r/orthodontics
Looking for some professional perspective. My ortho’s office is closed for the weekend so I’m trying to gather context before Monday.
My setup:
• MSE with 6 TADs
• MOPs (corticotomy/microosteoperforations) — no full SARPE
• Protocol: 2 turns/day, 35 turns total
• Currently turn 16, paused since the pain episode below
Symptom timeline:
• Turns 1-7: dull tightness in teeth/maxilla, mild pressure radiating to cheekbones and nasal bone
• Turn 8: front teeth started getting tender, increased sneezing, sinus drainage feeling, midline tissue stretching sensation
• Turns 9-12: symptoms decreased, no visible diastema, started getting concerned
• Visible improvement in nasal breathing started around turn 10
• Turn 13: localized pain at the gumline above the central incisors
• Turn 14: very subtle change in floss resistance between centrals, but no clearly visible diastema
• Turn 16 (today): sharp localized pain between front teeth, \~5/10, then subsided after about a couple of hours. Floss resistance feels closer to normal again now.
I’m mostly concerned about the rate of change in the pain level. Seemingly going from slight discomfort to a full shooting throbbing in between my front teeth. Just between turn 15-16.
What I’ve confirmed visibly:
• Screw has clearly expanded comparing photos from earlier in process to now
• No visible bleeding, no pus, no obvious appliance damage
• All TADs appear seated, no wiggle when checked with tongue
• Molars symmetric, no obvious pressure or tipping I can confirm at home
Questions for orthodontists:
1. The sharp localized pain between centrals at turn 16 — followed by it resolving and the floss resistance change reverting — does this suggest soft tissue tearing, suture micro-movement, or something else?
2. Was pausing turns the right call, or should I continue?
3. Are there at-home checks you’d recommend over the weekend to monitor whether the appliance is still functioning correctly until I can be seen Monday?
Thanks in advance. I know reddit isn’t a substitute for an exam, just trying to understand my situation better before Monday.
u/AskIll8327 — 13 days ago