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 brace or wire is loosened.
The brace may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have
a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a
wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case
of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed
and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business
day so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
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 piece of cotton or 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 Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry
about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to
be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment During the first week after your braces are in place and routine
adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness,
or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain
relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or
heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
What
to do in case of emergency
Wire
irritations