Emergency

Orthodontics is a process that takes some adjustment...

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the practice when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you cannot take care of yourself. We will then schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.

Common problems and possible solutions are described below. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our practice as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.

I have Irritation...

When you first get braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender. This is perfectly normal for patients who have just had braces placed, and this feeling does not usually last longer than a few days. To relieve the discomfort you may wish to take appropriate pain relief medication but most patients do not need it.

You may experience gum, lip and cheek irritation in the first one or two weeks due to rubbing of the metal brackets. To sooth this, we provide a wax to alleviate the affected area. Warm salty water is also a recommended solution to bathe ulcers and gum irritation.

My bracket is loose / fell off and my wire came loose...

Eating hard foods, biting on miscellaneous objects or nails are the main reason for breakages, or damages. If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it.

If your wire is loose, using a tweezer, try to put your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Please call us immediately to schedule a repair. If you have a problem with your Invisalign^® aligners, please contact us straightaway to arrange for a replacement.

I’m experiencing pain from my braces...

It is quite common for patients to experience pain or discomfort for 6-8 hours after having braces fitted. It is recommended you take anti- inflammatory medication and painkillers to sooth the jaw and gum area. Generally, discomfort can last for a couple of days after. A soft food diet is highly recommended to lessen the discomfort during this time.