Emergency information

Emergency Information

It's important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, contact us immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.

What to Do in Case of Emergency

If you have an accident and damage your brace, teeth or mouth, call our office as soon as possible. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.

Make sure you call us rather than coming straight to the practice – this way, we can get everything ready in advance to help you.

Emergency information

How Do I know if it’s an Emergency?

We’ve put together a list of the things considered an orthodontic emergency. If you experience any of the following make sure you call us straight away.

Emergency information

Loose Brackets or Bands

Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. Only if it’s absolutely necessary that you need to cut a wire, in the case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilised in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.

Loose Brackets or Bands

Wire Irritations

Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilised in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.

Wire Irritations

Lost Separators

It’s very common to lose a separator during your treatment, so if this happens – don’t worry. Just call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

Emergency information

Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment

During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm washcloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.

Emergency information