Orthodontic Emergencies

MONGIOVI ORTHODONTICS

VINCENT D. MONGIOVI, D.M.D.

What to do in case of an emergency:
Call our office if you break or loosen any of your appliances or if you have any unanticipated pain or soreness. We will either schedule an appointment for you to come in for an emergency repair or lengthen the time allotted for your next appointment to address the problem. We will work with you to accommodate your needs and alleviate any discomfort you may have.

Common emergencies may include:

· Loose brackets or bands: Call our office for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. 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 sterilized in alcohol.

· Wire irritations: Sometimes, discomfort can be caused by a wire on your braces. It can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or a pencil eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small amount of orthodontic wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that should be washed and disinfected with alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.

· Lost separators/spacer:Do not worry about losing a separator, but please call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

Discomfort with orthodontic treatment:
During the first few days to one week after your braces go on, you will likely feel some soreness or discomfort and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures. You may take acetaminophen or ibuprofen while you adjust to your new braces. Please take as directed. The lips, cheeks, and tongue also can become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the braces. The orthodontic wax can be applied to the braces to alleviate this temporary discomfort.

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