What to Do in Case of Emergency
Click here for “First Steps to handling an 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. 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
Braces emergencies, answered.
For any orthodontic emergency, call our office first — we'll create a time to see you. Use the numbers on our contact page.
Call 877-657-7799What should I do first in an orthodontic emergency?
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any appliance. Please do not come directly to the office — calling first lets us create a time to see you.
What do I do about a loose bracket or band?
Call our office right away for advice. If a wire must be cut or a bracket slid off at night or over the weekend, you may use fingernail clippers washed and sterilized in alcohol, then call us the next business day.
How do I handle a poking wire?
Try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser, or cover the end with wax or cotton. If it stays painful, you can carefully cut it with sterilized clippers, or call our office.
Is soreness after getting braces normal?
Yes. During the first week and after routine adjustments you may feel soreness. Non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen, and a warm wash cloth or heating pad on the jaws, can help.
Related pages
Need to be seen right away?
Call the office nearest you and we'll schedule a time to repair your appliance. Please do not come directly to the office without calling first.