Emergency
What to do in case of emergency:
Call our office as soon as possible if you experience a break or loosening 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:
Call our office immediately for advice if a brace or wire is loosened. The brace 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.
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 small
piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that
have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an
appointment.
Lost separators:
Patients may lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our
office to see if it needs to be replaced.
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.
