Emergency Info

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
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. We will discuss your problem and advise you if it can be treated at your next visit or if it requires an emergency appointment. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol.

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 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
If a separator is lost one to two days before your appointment, do not worry about having it replaced. Typically a lost separator indicates adequate space. If your appointment is more than 2 days away, please call our office to have the separator replaced.

Discomfort with orthodontic treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and after routine adjustments, you will likely feel some soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A soft diet and a warm wash cloth or heating pad may help to reduce the soreness.