Emergency Care

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we are available to you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you can not take care of the problem yourself.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you can schedule an appointment in our office.

Don't be alarmed if a bracket, wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. Here are some helpful pointers:

Poking Wire:

If wire protrudes and is poking, use a pencil eraser and gently push the poking wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office for an appointment to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.

Loose Bracket or Band:

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. This is not an emergency, call the office to set up an appointment for a repair.