Fortunately, emergencies occur only very rarely in orthodontics. If problems arise outside of our office hours we would like to give you some tips that may help you. In most cases, however, an appointment in our practice should be scheduled as soon as possible to ensure continuous and timely treatment.
Emergencies with fixed braces
Dental separator lost
If a blue dental separator is lost before installing a fixed brace, the next appointment already scheduled with you will determine the further procedure.
If you have an appointment with us in the next 1 to 2 days, it can be assumed that the dental separator has already created enough space between the teeth. In this case, no emergency appointment is necessary.
However, if the next appointment is further out, please make an appointment in our office to have a new dental separator inserted.
Bracket or strap loose
If a bracket or band (metal ring) comes loose from the tooth, please schedule a new appointment in our office as soon as possible to avoid a delay in the treatment.
Archwire slipped out
If the archwire has slipped out of the last bracket / band, you can try first to push it back into the "tube" with tweezers.
If that doesn’t work, there are 2 ways to eliminate the disturbance from the end of the archwire. Either clamp the archwire underneath the last bracket or band, or cover the end of the archwire with protective wax or some sugar-free chewing gum.
Please schedule an appointment in our practice as soon as possible so that we can eliminate the irritation from the end of the archwire.
Wire ligature / end of archwire / bracket irritates
If the end of a wire ligature pokes into your cheek or lip, you can press it towards the tooth with your fingernail or a blunt object.
Any time a part of the braces is irritating and may cause a sore spot on the inside of your mouth, cover the irritating element with protective wax. To ensure the wax stays in place better, use a cloth to dry the wire ligature, end of the archwire, or bracket first.
Especially in the first 2 to 3 days after new fixed braces are installed, the inside of the mouth may be irritated. Covering with the protective wax usually helps alleviate the discomfort.
If the temporary covering of the irritating element does not improve or eliminate the sore spot, please make an appointment in our practice.
Hook for hanging the elastics breaks off
If a hook breaks off the bracket and the elastics can no longer be attached properly, the further procedure depends on the next regular appointment. If this appointment is scheduled for the upcoming week, then it’s okay if you point it out to us then. However, if your next appointment is further out, we recommend that you schedule an emergency appointment to ensure continuous treatment.
Adhesive spot on the retainer wire has come loose
If a part of your retainer wire comes loose from the tooth, try using a blunt object to push the wire against the tooth so that it won’t bother you. Since the teeth may shift in this case, please contact our office immediately to schedule an appointment. To avoid relapsing, we recommend that you wear the removable braces at night until the appointment.
Emergencies with removable braces
Removable braces are lost or no longer fit
If the braces are lost or no longer fit properly, this can have several causes. Please arrange an appointment in our practice as soon as possible to adjust the braces or have new braces made to avoid a delay in treatment.
Removable device irritates
If the removable braces press on the gums or teeth so that they cannot be worn, please make an appointment in our office immediately.
Plastic base or wire on the removable braces broken
If the plastic base or a wire element of the braces should break off, please try the braces on carefully. If the braces fit the same as before and there is no sharp edge poking the tongue or cheek, it will be okay if you tell us about this at your next regular appointment.
If the break causes the braces to be unstable or result in irritating areas, please arrange an appointment in our practice immediately to have the braces repaired.
Other emergencies
Bleeding gums
Bleeding gums are usually caused by improper oral hygiene. To get the inflammation of the gums under control, please take care to ensure proper oral hygiene. This includes not just a thorough brushing after each meal, but also the use of interdental brushes with fixed braces, and rinsing with a mouthwash.
If the condition does not improve, please make an appointment in our office.
Tooth pain
Installing new braces or changing an archwire may occasionally cause some tooth discomfort. This feeling of pressure normally peaks on the 2nd to 3rd day and then decreases continuously.
During this time, we recommend eating mostly soft foods to reduce the sensation.
In some cases, a mild analgesic may help during the acclimatization phase.
In dieser Zeit ist es sinnvoll hauptsächlich weiche Nahrung zu sich zunehmen um die Missempfindung zu reduzieren.
In manchen Fällen kann während der Eingewöhnungsphase ein leichtes Schmerzmittel helfen.
Sore spots
Open spots on the inside of the mouth can occur sometimes new braces are installed. The mucosa can be expected to adapt to the new conditions after the first few days. To eliminate irritation as quickly as possible, we recommend using protective wax to cover the brackets that are leading to sore spots. To ensure the wax stays in place better, use a cloth to dry the bracket first. The wax should be re-applied after eating or brushing.
In some cases, rinsing with cold chamomile tea can speed up the healing process.
If there is no improvement, please make an appointment in our practice.