Orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do happen, we’re here to help. In general, if you experience severe pain or an issue with your appliance that you can’t fix on your own, give us a call. We’ll schedule an appointment to address the problem and get you back on track.
Many common issues can be temporarily resolved at home until you can visit our office. It’s important to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you can identify what’s broken or out of place. Once you’ve alleviated any discomfort, be sure to contact us as soon as possible to schedule a repair. Delaying repairs for too long can affect the progress of your treatment plan.
Loose Brackets or Bands
If a bracket or band comes loose, contact our office right away. It’s important to get the bracket repaired as soon as possible. If the bracket comes loose after hours or over the weekend, you may need to cut the wire or slide the bracket off. In case of an emergency, you can use clean, sterilized fingernail clippers to cut the wire. Be sure to call our office the next business day to schedule a repair appointment.
Wire Irritations
If a wire becomes long or sharp and irritates the inside of your mouth, you can try moving it away from the affected area using a cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil. If this doesn’t work, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of cotton or orthodontic wax. If the wire is still painful, you can use sterilized nail or cuticle clippers to trim it. If you can’t resolve the irritation, contact our office for a comfort appointment.
Lost Separators
Separators are placed before your bonding appointment to create enough space for your bands. While losing a separator is rarely an emergency, it should be replaced at your next available appointment. Please call our office so we can schedule a replacement as soon as possible.
If you ever encounter an issue with your braces, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help and ensure your treatment stays on track!
