Emergency Care

In the event something becomes loose, is sticking out or comes off please call our office to schedule an appointment. We understand discomfort and ask that you call ahead first instead of coming directly to the office, so that we can accommodate you as soon as possible. Please refer to the information below when calling so that we can better assist you in knowing what the problem is. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need your braces or an appliance repaired.

Diagram 

A - Ligature, a tiny elastic rubber band that hold the wire to the bracket.
B - Arch-wire, is tied to the bracket with a ligature and creates the force necessary to move teeth.
C - Brackets, are bonded to the teeth that hold the arch wire in place.
D - Metal Band, is cemented to the rear teeth and supports the brackets that anchors the entire appliance.
E - Elastic Hooks and Rubber bands, the rubber bands are attached to special elastic hooks and are used to move teeth to their final position.

In the case of an emergency we recommend trying the following treatments below to help relieve discomfort.

Protruding Wire

Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate the mouth. You can use the end of an eraser on a pencil to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If you cannot move the wire into a comfortable position, cover it with wax (or chewed gum) until your emergency appointment is scheduled.

Loose Brackets, Wires or Bands

If any of these become loose, place wax (or chewed gum) over them to keep it in place until your emergency appointment. If it has completely come off, please keep it in a Ziploc bag and bring it to your appointment.

Ligatures Come Off

These small rubber bands hold the wire to the bracket. If it does come off, you may be able to put it back on using a pair of sterilized tweezers. If you have lost a ligature, an appointment needs to be made so that it can be replaced.

Irritation or Mouth Sores

The transition of wearing new braces can take a few days. If discomfort occurs, you can place wax on top of the area of the appliance that is bothering you.

Knocked a Tooth Out

If a tooth is knocked out, rinse it well, then place it back into the socket immediately or within 30 minutes. This can make the difference between your teeth being saved or not!

 


 

YouTube video on what to do with braces problems: pain, sore teeth, loose braces, broken bands, protruding wires or other problems with your braces and how to handle them.