EMERGENCY CARE
What To Do in Case of Emergency
We know you’ve invested a lot of time and effort into your orthodontic treatment, so it can be frustrating when something doesn’t go as planned. If any of your appliances become loose, broken, or damaged, please contact one of our office locations as soon as possible so we can determine if an appointment is needed. Even if you already have an upcoming appointment scheduled, we still ask that you call our office to let us know you may need a repair.
Here at Colorado Orthodontics, we are dedicated to giving you peace of mind when it comes to your orthodontic treatment. Whether you have elected to use metal braces, ceramic braces, or clear aligners, you are sure to have questions and concerns about what to do if an issue arises with your appliance.
That’s why we are happy to provide information on what to do in case of an orthodontic emergency.
Soreness or Discomfort
The way that braces and aligners move your teeth will likely lead to some soreness and discomfort following their placement. This is completely normal, and no cause for alarm. To relieve this pain, feel free to take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you become acclimated to your new orthodontic appliance. A heating pad applied for short periods may also help reduce the discomfort in your jaw.
In addition, if you find that the braces are causing an abrasion in your mouth, please use a piece of wax (some was included in your kit on the day you got your braces on, but if you can’t find it, you can get some at any supermarket or pharmacy) to create a temporary barrier between the braces and the spot of the abrasion.
Wire Irritation
If your bracket or wire becomes loose, please contact our office right away so we can guide you on the appropriate next steps. In some cases, damage or looseness can affect your treatment timing if it isn’t addressed promptly, so a repair may be needed as soon as possible.
If a loose wire or bracket is causing discomfort, orthodontic wax can be applied to your braces to help reduce irritation from poking or rubbing areas until you are able to be seen by the orthodontist. If needed, you may carefully use clean fingernail clippers that have been disinfected with alcohol to trim a bothersome wire.
Please call our office the next business day to schedule an appointment so we can evaluate and ensure everything is properly adjusted.
Loose Brackets Or Bands
If your bracket or wire becomes loose, please contact our office right away so we can advise you on the best next steps. In some cases, damage to a bracket or a loose wire can delay your orthodontic treatment if it is not addressed promptly, so a repair may be needed as soon as possible.
If the loose bracket or wire is causing significant discomfort, you may carefully use fingernail clippers that have been cleaned and sterilized with alcohol to trim the wire. Please be sure to call our office the next business day to schedule an appointment so we can make sure everything is properly repaired.
Lost Separators
If your orthodontic treatment includes a separator, it is highly likely that you will lose it at some point. This is no cause for alarm; just call our office to determine if it needs to be replaced.