Emergencies

Loss or Breakage of a Separator (Spacer)

Initial Soreness

Mild Tooth Mobility

Ulcers

Wire Poking

Broken Bracket or Loose Band

Broken Wire

O-Tie has come off of a Brace

Expander is Loose

Mouth Guards

While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, occasionally a minor problem may arise. Should you have an orthodontic emergency, please call our office so we may assist you. Our office will make every effort to accommodate you. Listed below are some problems that may be encountered and the remedies for them.

Loss or Breakage of a Separator (Spacer)
If a separator falls out or breaks, attempt to replace it as you were instructed at our office. If you are unable to replace the separator, please call our office during regular business hours so we may inform you whether it is necessary for us to replace the separator.

Initial Soreness
After the placement of separators, initial placement of braces, or following an adjustment, the teeth may be tender for a few days. An over the counter pain reliever that you would normally take for a headache may be helpful in alleviating this initial soreness.

Mild Tooth Mobility
Braces move teeth. Occasionally you may notice mild tooth mobility. This is normal and after the tooth has moved to its correct position the tooth will become normal again.

Ulcers
Ulcers can arise anytime. Braces can make ulcers even more uncomfortable. First, try applying wax over the brace next to the ulcer. Keeping your mouth clean with proper oral hygiene will allow the ulcer to heal properly. You may try rinsing your mouth out with an oral cleanser such as hydrogen peroxide diluted with water a few times a day. Your ulcer should heal in 1 – 2 weeks. Over the counter medication for ulcers may be helpful.

Wire Poking
Occasionally, you may have a wire protrude from the back brace. This problem can be solved by taking a nail clipper or a small wire cutter that you have cleaned with some rubbing alcohol and snipping the wire as close as possible to the brace. If you cannot clip the wire, place some wax on it to help to keep you comfortable. Attempt to dry the area first and then place wax on the irritating area. Another option is to pack the area with a piece of moist cotton.

Broken Bracket or Loose Band
If a bracket or band becomes loose off of a tooth it may be left there if it is not uncomfortable to you. If the bracket does become bothersome the "O-tie" that holds it on can be removed with a pair of tweezers or cut with a small pair of scissors or a nail clipper and the bracket removed. The most common cause of a broken brace is eating foods that are too hard or too sticky. Chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails may also cause a broken bracket or band. Regardless of how the breakage occurred, please call our office during business hours to schedule an appointment to have it repaired.

Broken Wire
Again, eating hard or sticky foods can cause a wire to break. If a wire breaks, please contact us. If you are unable to see us and the broken wire is causing you discomfort, take a pair of nail clippers and cut the wire as close as possible to the next brace it is attached to or you may try to remove the wire by gently pulling it out.

O-Tie has come off of a Brace
If a tie comes off of a brace all should be fine. Often times it can be replaced with a pair of tweezers. If this is not possible please call our office so we can set up a time for you to stop by and have it replaced.

Expander is Loose
If an expander becomes loose we do not want you to activate it until you are seen. Please call our office to schedule an appointment to have it cemented back in place. Usually the expander can be pushed back onto the tooth until you can get back into our office. Sticky foods are usually the cause of this.

Mouth Guards
To minimize injury while playing sports, it is recommended that you wear a mouth guard. You may purchase an orthodontic mouth guard at most sporting goods stores or you may ask our office to fit you for one. A mouth guard may help to protect you from mouth lacerations to your oral tissues, loosening, fracture, or even loss of teeth, and may help minimize concussions.

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