Is It An Emergency?

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare. Most orthodontic problems are relatively minor, and you may be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you can  schedule an appointment with our office.

When working with your appliances, you will need to know the names of the parts so you are able to identify what part is broken, out of place, or causing you discomfort. Visit the Types of Appliances page the Coleman Orthodntics website to learn more.

If you ever find yourself in what you believe to be an orthodontic emergency, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: is it really a true emergency or is it a less serious issue that you can fix yourself?

Below are three common orthodontic problems you may be able to take care of at home, prior to scheduling a visit to our orthodontic office.

Loose or Poking Wires: If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax or a cotton ball until you can see us for an adjustment.

If the main wire has come out of the tube on the back tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers. If the wire is sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area.

Loose Brackets or Bands: If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little colored rubber ring or a small steel ligature tie. Tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation.

Loose Teeth: It is natural for teeth to become slightly loose when wearing braces…it’s a sign that your orthodontic treatment is working. Sometimes this tooth movement can be accompanied by tenderness, especially immediately after braces are fitted or adjusted. Rinsing your mouth twice a day with a cup of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt can be soothing. A heating pad or warm washcloth placed on your face may help to relieve tenderness as well.

After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you call our Syracuse office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan. 

And Remember…If you are a patient in retention and your retainer cracks or breaks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair.

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