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True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur, we are available to help you.

When you have a problem, call us without delay. It will help if you know the names of the parts of your appliances. An accurate description of your problem will assist the scheduling secretary as she provides an appropriate appointment for adjustment or repair.
You might be able to provide a stop-gap measure for a painful emergency until we can see you. The following suggestions may prove helpful:

Loose bracket or band

If the bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. Cover the irritating portion of the appliance with wax or a ball of moist cotton.

If any part of your brace or appliance is completely detached, bring the loose parts to your repair appointment. The parts may be needed to reassemble part of your braces.

Poking wire

Cover the end of the poking wire with a ball of moist cotton.

Archwire is out of the tube on the molar bracket

You might be able to reinsert the end of your archwire into the tube on the molar bracket. If your effort fails, place a moist cotton ball over the end of the poking archwire, call our office, describe the problem, and schedule a prompt appointment for adjustment or repair.

General soreness

A new appliance or braces may cause temporary tenderness of the teeth and gums, increased salivation, and difficulty swallowing, speaking and eating. These problems soon subside with continued appliance wear. Over-the-counter analgesics such as Tylenol or Advil are usually sufficient. If discomfort is severe and unremitting or an appliance cannot be worn as directed, call our office without delay.

Rubber bands: tenderness of the teeth is common when elastic forces are first applied to the teeth. This initial discomfort will subside as your teeth begin to move. Occasional or intermittent elastic wear not only produces discomfort but will not move teeth.

Appliance problems

If your appliance is loose, call us without delay! If possible, continue wearing the appliance to avoid relapse or the loss of treatment gains. Cover the offending portion of the appliance with a ball of moist cotton.

Appliance problems must be promptly scheduled for adjustment or repair. The prompt detection, reporting, adjustment, and repair of appliance problems minimize treatment delay and unnecessary additional appliance damage.

Progress appointments vs. emergency appointments

There is a difference between normal progress appointments and emergency appointments for attention to problems. Appointments for attention to problems must be scheduled in advance. Please do not surprise us at progress appointments with unannounced, undetected, or unreported problems.

If you have had an accident, please contact the dental resident at Children’s Hospital at 3333 Burnett Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229.

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