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What Do I Do if I Have an Emergency?
If you have an emergency such as a broken bracket, loose or poking wire, or anything else that is causing you discomfort, please call the office. If we are not in the office, you can reach us by the numbers listed on the answering system. We care about our patients and their comfort during treatment with us. We will always try to correct any problem you might have as quickly as possible.
While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, occasionally a minor problem can pop up. What follows is a list of problems that may be encountered and the remedies for them.
Initial Soreness
After the placement of braces or following an adjustment, the teeth may be tender for a couple of days. This occasionally happens and will pass. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil or Tylenol may be helpful in alleviating this initial soreness.
Mild Tooth Mobility
Occasionally one may notice mild tooth mobility. This is normal and makes sense when you realize that as a tooth moves the bone around it becomes softer. After the tooth has moved into its correct position, the bone around it recalcifies and becomes hard again.
Wire Poking
Early on in treatment as the teeth move, it is possible for the wire to protrude from the back braces. This problem can be solved by taking a nail clipper and snipping the wire as close as possible to the braces. If you cannot clip the wire, placing some wax on it will help to keep you comfortable.
Wire Out of Place
Just as a wire can protrude from a brace early on in treatment, it is possible for a wire to come out of a brace. The solution to this problem is to simply reinsert the wire in the brace using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
Broken Brace
If the brace breaks off of a tooth it can be left there if it is not uncomfortable to you. If the brace does become bothersome, the "O-tie" that holds it on can be removed with a pair of tweezers or an unbent paper clip. The most common cause of a broken brace is eating foods that are too hard or too sticky. Chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails may also cause a broken brace. Regardless of how the brace broke, please call our office during business hours to schedule an appointment to have it repaired.
Broken Wire
Again, eating hard or sticky foods can cause a wire to break. If this happens take a pair of nail clippers and cut the wire as close as possible to the next brace it is attached to.
Tie Has Come off of a Brace
If a tie comes off of a brace all should be fine. Often times it can be replaced with a pair of tweezers. If this is not possible please call our office so we can set up a time for you to run in and have it replaced.
Expander is Loose
If an expander becomes loose we do not want you to activate it until you are seen. Usually the expander can be pushed back onto the tooth until you can get back into our office. Sticky foods are usually the cause of this.
Poking Wire Tie
Sometimes to secure the brace to the wire we twist a very small stainless steel ligature around it. Infrequently it is possible for the twisted end of the ligature to move and start to feel sharp. If this happens, simply use a pencil eraser to gently push it into a comfortable position.
Sharpness Felt on the Tongue Side of a Brace
Occasionally the tongue side of a back brace may feel sharp. This may be caused by the rubber band attachment on the brace. To solve this problem take a spoon and push the rubber band attachment back in toward the brace.
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