Emergency Care
What to Do in Case of Emergency
Fortunately, most orthodontic ’emergencies’ are simple to deal with. If you experience an orthodontic ’emergency’, please call our office so we can guide you on what to do. For after hour emergencies or concerns, one of our doctors is always on-call. For more information, please refer to the excellent video on this page.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Please call our office for advice if a bracket or band is loosened. The bracket or band may require replacement in a timely manner as it may cause unwanted tooth movement. If the bracket of band is still attached to the wire and becomes irritating, it is best to cover it with the provided orthodontic wax for comfort. If it is after hours and you are concerned or do not know what to do, one of our doctors is always on-call.
Wire Irritations
Sometimes discomfort is caused by a wire that becomes long or has shifted. When this occurs, try to gently bend the wire into a comfortable spot using an eraser on the end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be bent, try covering the end of it with a small amount of wax. If the wire is poking into your cheeks or gums, you can cut it using clean nail clippers. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, please call our office to arrange an appointment. If it is after hours and you are concerned or do not know what to do, one of our doctors is always on-call.
Lost Separators
It is not uncommon to lose a separator prior to or during orthodontic treatment. Don’t worry about losing a separator, but please do call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after your braces are placed, you will likely feel some soreness and discomfort. We advise you take pain relievers such as Ibuprophen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you are allgeric to Ibuprophen. Usually, these are only necessary for 1 to 3 days. Typically, it is not common to experience mild discomfort with subesquent orthodontic visits.
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