EMERGENCY CARE

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 Invisalign® 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.

Given how much time and effort you’ve devoted to your orthodontic treatment, it’s understandable to be concerned when something goes awry. If any of your appliances break or loosen, it’s vital that you contact one of our office locations as soon as possible to see if it is necessary to schedule an appointment. If you have an appointment scheduled near the time your appliance is damaged, please still contact our offices to let us know you require a repair.

The way that braces and Invisalign 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.

The wire commonly used with metal and clear ceramic braces is quite sharp and may cause some discomfort if it moves between appointments. You can push the wire away from the irritated area using an eraser or cotton swab.

In some instances, the wire may be under too much pressure to be moved easily. It may help to cover the end of it with a small piece of wax or cotton. If none of these methods is successful in resolving your discomfort, you can cut off the protruding end of the wire using nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized with alcohol.

Some instances of wire irritation are not easily solved at home. If this is the case for you, feel free to call us to schedule an appointment, and we will take care of the issue for you.

If your bracket or wire is loosened, it is vital to call our office immediately for advice on how to proceed. In extreme cases, damage to a bracket or loosening of the wire can actually set back your orthodontic treatment if not managed in a timely manner, so a bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible.

If the loose bracket or wire is causing extreme discomfort, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol to cut it. Please make sure to call our office the next business day to schedule an appointment to come in and make sure everything is okay.

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.