Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi,
I'm supposed to turn my RPE 2x a day. But I just can't keep it that way! I tend to forget to turn at night & now I've missed 4 turns so far. Today is my 8th day in RPE. Tonight should be my 16th turn (but since I missed 4 turns, it'll be my 12th turn). My ortho said it's okay if I miss a few turns. I've read somewhere online, if you miss a turn, don't add an extra turn the next day but instead, add a day on to the end of the prescribed time. Can I do that? I contacted my ortho yesterday & I told her that I missed 3 turns (that was when it was only 3), she said that's ok but try to turn 2x a day. That was all she said. But now it has become 4 turns I missed, I can't just "forget" the 4 turns. That'd make a big difference, I think. Any idea?

Zameera

bracedagain wrote:Hi Z,

Well, I don't have an RPE, but in my unprofessional opinion, you'll just have to add those extra days in the process. Trying to catch up sounds like a bad idea.

Since you've already phoned and they told you too keep it at two turns a day, stick with that. You wouldn't want to over stress your expansion, as the bone has to rebuild at a certain rate while you're turning.

So just do your best to keep up. In the overall scheme, a couple of days won't really hurt ya' much. As you'll probably have to have the RPE in for several months anyway.

Just my 2 cents worth.!

Good advice. The reason why you do 2 turns per day is that research indicates that a controlled movement will allow the osteoblastic activity (bone formation) to keep up with the growing space created by the expander. Too fast and you can have complications which you don't want. Slower is much better, but you should always follow the prescription of whomever is treating you. If you don't follow instructions it can delay your treatment.

Good Luck,
Rory

bracedagain wrote:Hi Z,

Well, I don't have an RPE, but in my unprofessional opinion, you'll just have to add those extra days in the process. Trying to catch up sounds like a bad idea.

Since you've already phoned and they told you too keep it at two turns a day, stick with that. You wouldn't want to over stress your expansion, as the bone has to rebuild at a certain rate while you're turning.

So just do your best to keep up. In the overall scheme, a couple of days won't really hurt ya' much. As you'll probably have to have the RPE in for several months anyway.

Just my 2 cents worth.!

Ok, the prescribed time is until the 14th. And since I've to go for a checkup on the 17th, I've two days until the checkup. Two days mean 4 turns. So, that is the perfect time to replace the 4 turns I've missed. Is that okay?

Ok, the prescribed time is until the 14th. And since I've to go for a checkup on the 17th, I've two days until the checkup. Two days mean 4 turns. So, that is the perfect time to replace the 4 turns I've missed. Is that okay?

Call your ortho and ask, s/he is the person responsible for your care, treatment, and well being. Their opinion is the one that you want.

Best,
Rory

rsprouse wrote:

Ok, the prescribed time is until the 14th. And since I've to go for a checkup on the 17th, I've two days until the checkup. Two days mean 4 turns. So, that is the perfect time to replace the 4 turns I've missed. Is that okay?

Call your ortho and ask, s/he is the person responsible for your care, treatment, and well being. Their opinion is the one that you want.

Best,
Rory

Ok, then. Thanks!

Anyway, I feel like I can't turn no more! No, I really can't! Turning the key used to be easy & painless for me. UNTIL I started to feel a SHARP pain in my left 2nd bicuspid/2nd premolar every time I try to push the key (inserted) forward. OMG, it really is painful! I nearly cried (ok, the truth is I cried). It started last night. But it was not that painful so I thought it would be okay the next day. Turns out, it's worse! I had to turn little by little & lie on the bed until the pain subside (with tears in my eyes) & turn the key a bit again & waited & so on. It took me about 6x to complete a full turn which is 30 minutes all together. Anybody has experience this?

Crying is no reason to be ashamed of, right? I'm only 14. And I'm a girl. I'd be a winnie if I was a boy.

Aaw, sorry you're in pain Zameera. I'm expanding after SARPE and a few days ago had a similar pain (and I'm 17 and cried like a baby! ), however, it did subside and now it's back to normal. Perhaps because you have missed some turns, it hurts because it's a 'shock', as it were, to your mouth to start expanding again. But I don't know of course.

My advice would be to take a paracetamol about 1/2 an hour or 15 minutes before you turn, or just have some handy for straight after! But it should go, don't worry

I am terrible at remembering things. In fact I just remembered that I forgot to give the dog her antibiotic this morning - again. The only way I can remember things like that is to make myself a check list, and leave it where it will do the most good - like on the bathroom mirror - with a pen on a string next to it . It will be no big deal to reschedule your next ortho appointment by a week or so. Take things slowly and don't beat yourself up for missing a few days.

Meryaten wrote:Crazybeautiful - I never realised you were only 17! (Not that it matters)

Because I'm so full of wisdom? A lot of us young ones flock here, but the site is so helpful and informative, you can't blame us

Hope you are ok Zameera!

crazybeautiful wrote:Aaw, sorry you're in pain Zameera. I'm expanding after SARPE and a few days ago had a similar pain (and I'm 17 and cried like a baby! ), however, it did subside and now it's back to normal. Perhaps because you have missed some turns, it hurts because it's a 'shock', as it were, to your mouth to start expanding again. But I don't know of course.

My advice would be to take a paracetamol about 1/2 an hour or 15 minutes before you turn, or just have some handy for straight after! But it should go, don't worry

You are totally right, crazybeautiful! The pain subsided in 3 days! Thanks SOO much for giving me faith! XOXO

Delag wrote:I am terrible at remembering things. In fact I just remembered that I forgot to give the dog her antibiotic this morning - again. The only way I can remember things like that is to make myself a check list, and leave it where it will do the most good - like on the bathroom mirror - with a pen on a string next to it . It will be no big deal to reschedule your next ortho appointment by a week or so. Take things slowly and don't beat yourself up for missing a few days.

We're in the same boat. Thanks for tip, Delag! I'm going to put a note on my dressing table mirror. That should definitely work!