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Emergency Care
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 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. |
