If You Have Loose Brackets or Bands
Please call our office immediately for advice if a brace or wire is loosened. The brace may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and disinfected in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
Discomfort During Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
If You Lose a Separator
If you lose a separator during treatment, do not worry, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Wire Irritations
Occasionally, discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with an eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or 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, call our office for an appointment.