Emergency Orthodontics
Call us at Webster Orthodontics as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come to our office before you call. We will need to schedule an appointment for you so we have the time to properly care for you. Make sure to call even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, so we can determine if you need to come in earlier. Here are a few ways to handle problems with orthodontics and appliances.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Call us if you have a loose bracket or wire. Your bracket may need to be refitted.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
Wires on your braces can cause irritation or discomfort. You may be able to fix this by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire doesn’t move, you can try covering it with a piece of cotton or a small bit of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors washed and sterilized with alcohol. Call us if the problem isn’t resolved.
Lost Separators
It’s common for many patients to lose a separator. Don’t worry about it, but be sure to call us to see if it needs replacing.
Discomfort
You will feel some pain or soreness during the first week after you get braces and after routine adjustments to your braces. Tylenol or other non-aspirin pain medications may help while you adjust to your braces. You may also try using a warm washcloth or heating pad to reduce jaw soreness.