Emergency Orthodontics

Thankfully, there are very few orthodontic emergencies. These include any major trauma or injury to the teeth/mouth/face, and any infection, swelling, or bleeding of the gums/mouth/face. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us immediately.

If you have a broken appliance that is poking your cheeks or gums and/or are experiencing intense pain, we will do our best to fit you into the schedule for an appointment as soon as possible. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call immediately to notify us that you need an appliance repaired.

Surprisingly, most orthodontic problems can be remedied at home. While you await your appointment, these guidelines will help you resolve minor problems. Please know that even if you alleviate the pain caused by your broken appliance, you still need a repair appointment.

Lost Separator

Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but please call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

Sore Teeth/Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment

Right after you get your braces, and sometimes after you have an adjustment appointment, your teeth and mouth will feel sore. To alleviate the pain, you may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm washcloth or a heating pad may also reduce the soreness in your jaws.

Wire Irritations

Try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or pencil eraser. If the wire does 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 disinfected with alcohol.

Loose Bracket

First, call our office to see if the bracket needs to be rebonded. If you have a situation where you must cut the wire or slide a bracket off the wire, you may use fingernail clippers for thin wires, and toenail clippers for thick wires that have been washed and disinfected with alcohol. Please call our office the next business day to schedule a repair appointment.

Loose Wire

Try putting the wire back in place using tweezers that have been washed and disinfected with alcohol. If that does not work, try putting wax over the wire where it is poking you. If you have a situation where you must cut the wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and disinfected with alcohol. Cut the wire behind the last bracket in which it is secured and put a cotton ball or tissue behind the wire to catch it.

Headgear Not Fitting

If your headgear is causing pain, it is usually because it is not being worn long enough. Please adhere to your orthodontist’s instructions, and wear your headgear for the instructed amount of hours each day. If the face bow is bent, please call our office for an appointment. Do not try to adjust it yourself.

Lost or Broken Retainer

Please call the office for an impression to make a new retainer or to repair your broken retainer. Do not wait until your teeth move before you call. If we have to realign your teeth, there will be additional charges for an active retainer, braces, or Invisalign®.