Call our office as soon as possible if your child breaks or loosens any of their appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see your child. Even if your child has a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if they need an appliance repaired.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Call our office if a band or bracket is loose. We will determine if the patient needs to be seen earlier than their next scheduled appointment. If a bracket is loose and sliding on the wire but is not causing discomfort this is not an emergency. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, 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 your child.
Wire Irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire 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, please call our office for an appointment.
Lost Separators
It is not uncommon for patients lose a separator. Do not worry if your child loses a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after your child’s braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, they will likely feel some soreness or discomfort. Your child may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while they adjust to their new braces. A warm salt water rinses may help.