What do I do now?

If your braces are causing you discomfort or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address the issues over the telephone, however, if we feel you need to be seen prior to your next scheduled appointment, we will arrange a time for you as soon as possible.

If you have a traumatic injury resulting in cuts to your lips or gums or if teeth are displaced, please contact our office. If you have broken any part of a tooth, or it has been knocked out, you will need to contact your dentist first, since we may not have the materials necessary to treat such injuries. If the orthodontic appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust them as soon as possible. If you suspect that your jaw has also been injured, or notice that your teeth have moved by the accident, you may also need to be seen by an oral surgeon.

It is not an orthodontic emergency if a bracket or band comes loose from the tooth or a separator falls out. However, we do need to know this so please call us on the next business day to report this mishap. A broken bracket should be fixed in a timely manner.

If you experience a wire poke from a broken or long wire, try clipping the end of the wire with fingernail clippers. If you are unable to clip the end of the wire, try placing wax over it. Wires can be tucked out of the way with the end of a spoon, tweezers or other smooth object. Make sure to call the office the next business day if you are unsuccessful in resolving the problem.