Emergencies
 

Orthodontic emergencies are rare but they do occur and occassionally you may require care outside of your regularly scheduled appointment. A broken wire, loose bracket/appliance, or a poking wire or a similar situation can be remedied by following the guidelines here or by calling our office to schedule an emergency appointment. Anything that causes pain or alarm to the patient should be reviewed by Dr. Mamnoon A. Siddiqui. We will make every effort to make the necessary adjustments as quickly as possible to alleviate the problem.

LOOSE BRACKET/BAND: If the bracket or the band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If uncomfortable, cover the loose bracket/band with a piece of wax over it, and give us a call. If it has come out completely, save it and bring it with you to your next appointment and please call the office to inform us about the situation so that we can save extra time to fix the bracket or the band. DO NOT CONNECT HEADGEAR OR ELASTICS TO A LOOSE BAND/BRACKET!

 

LOST TIE WIRE/ELASTIC TIE:

 

Please call to ask if an appointment is necessary (usually you do not need an emergency appointment for these situations).

 

HEADGEAR/APPLIANCE DOES NOT FIT:

 

 

Stop wearing the headgear or the appliance and call for the next available appointment.

SORENESS FROM BRACES:

Rinse the mouth with warm salt water. If necessary, take the over the counter pain reliever that you would normally use for a headache or similar discomfort.

 
WIRE OUT OF TUBE:

Try to place the wire back into the tube with ordinary tweezers. Place dental wax if uncomfortable and call for an appointment.

 
ROTATED ARCHWIRE:

Try to slide the wire back around to the other side. If unsuccessful, place wax on wire and call for an appointment.

 
POKING TIE WIRE:

Try to bend the wire back with a spoon or pencil eraser. If unsuccessful, cover with wax and call for an appointment.

 
POKING ARCHWIRE:

Try to cut the poking archwire with nail clippers or bend it down towards your gums with the pencil eraser. If unsuccessful, cover it with wax or wet cotton, and call for an appointment.

 
ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE TEETH:

Call your dentist or orthodontist immediately.

 

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