What to do in case of emergency

Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired, and the reception team will advise you if you need to be seen prior to your rountine appointment.

Loose brackets or bands

Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible, depending on which stage of treatment you are at.

Wire irritations

If the wires or brackets are digging in or rubbing then try to use the patient relief wax that came with the brace kit that you were advised to purchase. However, sometimes in the early stages of treatment the first flexible wires can become detached from the ring or bracket on the back teeth. This can be easily resolved by sliding the wire back through the tube on the side of the attachment - it’s just like threading a needle. As a guide to positioning the wire we suggest you observe the side where the wire has not become detached. It is preferbale to try and resolve this at home as the first wires are so flexible that this may happen more than once, until the next wire in the sequence is placed.

Lost separators

Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

Discomfort

After the braces have been fitted or adjusted this can cause discomfort or aches. Patients are advised to take paracetamol or ibuprofen.