Not all orthodontic problems require immediate attention. The following information will help you in determining the urgency of your situation:
- BROKEN OR LOOSE APPLIANCES:
For your convenience, please do not come directly to the office. By calling us beforehand, you will allow us to create an appropriate amount of time needed to address your particular problem. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us to notify us if you need an appliance repaired. Broken appliances may require more appointment time to correct.
- LOOSE BRACKETS OR BANDS:
Please call our office when you notice that you have a loose bracket or band, so that we may schedule an appointment for you. This problem is not one of urgency. We can refit the bracket or band when you have time to come into the office. In the meantime, if the loose and dangling brace is irritating your mouth, apply wax atop the dangling brace to prevent sliding.
- 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 pencil 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. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and disinfected with alcohol.
- LOST SEPARATOR (AKA "SPACER"):
Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Often, the reason a spacer falls out is because the space we are trying to make between the two teeth is already present. Check the space by sliding a doubled piece of dental floss through the space. Enough space has been made if the floss passes through easily. Call us to have the spacer replaced if the floss will not pass through easily.
- DISCOMFORT ASSOCIATED WITH ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:
During the first week after your braces are placed and after routine adjustments, you will likely feel some pain, soreness, or discomfort. You may take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces, appliance, or Invisalign trays. Additionally, a warm washcloth may reduce any soreness experienced in your jaws.
