Emergency Care

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you are able to schedule an appointment with our practice. Common problems and possible solutions are described and shown below in our interactive videos. 

Headgear

Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please call our office for assistance. Surprisingly, the headgear may hurt less as it's worn more, so be sure you're getting in the prescribed hours.

Sharp wire

If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the part that us feeling sharp or irritating you. Ensure that you dry the area by dabbing with a tissue/cotton ball prior to applying wax. 

Loose Bracket

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the bracket comes off the last tooth at the back of the mouth, remove the bracket and follow the 'loose wire' instructions below. Ensure that you dry the area by dabbing with a tissue prior to applying wax. 

Loose Wire

Using tweezers, try to put your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax doesn't help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it.

Poking Wire

Using a pencil eraser or the non-red end of a match stick, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort.

Broken Bracket, Long Wires, Wax

Removing Broken Wire out

Removing A Separator

RO Pushcoil