EMERGENCY INFORMATION

If you experience a serious traumatic injury to the head and neck region, please proceed to the nearest urgent care or emergency room facility.  If the injury is specific to the mouth and/or teeth, please be aware that some dental emergencies are best handled by your family dentist.  Often times an x-ray is necessary to properly diagnose and treat the situation.  If you have broken or damaged any part of your orthodontic appliances (braces, bands, etc.), we will need to arrange a time to repair them after your dentist has evaluated the involved area.  If you have any questions, or are unable to reach your dentist, please call our office so we can help you determine the best course of action.

Throughout the course of your orthodontic treatment, you may experience times when the orthodontic appliances become damaged, loose, or cause discomfort in your mouth.  If you notice anything wrong with your appliances, please call our office so we can assist you in alleviating the problem, and arrange a time to make any necessary repairs.  If repairs are not made in a timely manner, the disruption in treatment may result in an increase in treatment time. 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OUR OFFICE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS REGARDING YOUR BRACES.  It is our goal to make your orthodontic treatment an exciting and positive experience!

Listed below are some tips and suggestions to help you temporarily resolve certain issues with your orthodontic appliances:

Wire that is Poking
If a wire is poking either your cheek or gums, try placing relief wax (provided in our office, or available at most pharmacies) in the area.  You can also use a pencil eraser to push the wire segment away from the cheeks or gums.

Loose Bracket, Band, or Color Chain
If a bracket, band, or color chain comes loose, please know that this happens on occasion and there is no need to be concerned.  Please call our office so we can arrange a time for repair.  If a bracket or band is loose but still firmly attached to the wire, you can leave it in place and use wax on any area that may be poking.  If a bracket is completely loose from your tooth and wire, remove the loose portion and bring it with you to our office.   If a color chain comes loose, you can leave the remaining portion of the chain in place until new color chains can be placed.

Loose Wire
If a wire becomes loose and wiggles free outside of the braces, you can try to place the wire back with a pair of tweezers.  If a portion of the wire is still poking, place wax on the area to alleviate discomfort.  Lastly, you can use a pair of small clippers to remove the portion of the wire that is loose.  If you try clipping any portion of the wire, please be careful to avoid swallowing any small objects.

Loose Appliance
If a cemented appliance (expander, space maintainer, etc.) comes loose, please call our office so we can arrange a time to recement the appliance.  If part of the appliance is poking, place wax on the area to alleviate discomfort.

Headgear Does Not Fit
If you have any difficulty getting your facebow in or out of the braces smoothly, do not force it.  Call us so we can arrange a time to adjust it.

If a band becomes loose, do not wear your headgear at all.  Call the office and we will make arrangements to replace it as soon as possible.

General Discomfort & Soreness
When braces are first placed or adjusted, most patients experience some discomfort as the teeth may become sore and tender to biting pressures.  This usually lasts for several days and can often be managed well with whatever pain medication you commonly take for headaches.  Some areas of the mouth may also become irritated as they initially become accustomed to the braces.  Overall, discomfort from braces is typically short in duration and easily managed.