What to do in case of emergency
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.
Loose brackets or bands
Sometimes, a band or bracket may become loose during your treatment. Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you. While these problems may seem minor, you may possibly lengthen your treatment time if you fail to have it corrected quickly.
Wire irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a pencil eraser, cotton ball or a small amount of wax. Please do not attempt to cut the wires away yourself without first consulting our office. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost separators
If you lose a separator within the first 24 hours, please contact our office so we can reinsert one. If a separator falls out after 24 hours, slide a double strand of floss in between the teeth. If it easily slides through the teeth, it isn’t necessary to have the separator replaced. If it is tight between the teeth, contact our office so we may reinsert the separator. If you lose a separator within 48 hours of your next scheduled appointment, there is no need to contact us for a replacement.
Discomfort with orthodontic treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. Research has shown that medication taken 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to the start of discomfort can reduce the amount of pain you may experience. Please follow the instructions closely for taking medications.
Broken or Lost Retainers
Retainers are created to maintain the position of your teeth. By not wearing your retainer, you are allowing your teeth to shift. If your retainer breaks or becomes lost, please contact us immediately for a replacement retainer to be made. Waiting too long to contact us may result in severe shifting that cannot be corrected by a retainer and may require additional braces.