We're here for you!
If you have an orthodontic emergency, please email us at any time or if you require immediate attention, please call our office and our emergency system will page us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No worries...we're here for you.
While true orthodontic emergencies that require immediate attention are rare, they do occasionally happen. True orthodontic emergencies typically involve some sort of trauma to the mouth that requires us to remove brackets or wires so that an injury can be treated. More often than not, you may be able to temporarily solve minor problems yourself.
So, when should you call us?
If you have a loose bracket or wire or you loosen or break an appliance, please call or email us as soon as you can. The sooner we can get you back on track, the better. If this happens during the day, we'll try to schedule an emergency appointment to get you in to our office the same day during our regular business hours. If it's after-hours, we'll try to walk you through the best way to handle the situation until we can see you in our office the next day.
General Soreness or Discomfort
General soreness that occurs soon after a new appliance or your braces are placed is normal and temporary. If you feel that it's necessary, try taking ibuprofen or other non-aspirin pain relievers, much as you would for a minor headache.
If you have irritation caused by one of your wires, you can often resolve it by simply moving the wire away from your cheek using a cotton swab or a clean eraser on the tip of a pencil. You can also cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax to keep it from rubbing the inside of your cheek. If you have trouble, feel free to call or email us - we'll walk you through the process or schedule an appointment to take a look.