At Lewisburg Orthodontic Associates, we understand that dental emergencies can occur during orthodontic treatment. While most orthodontic care progresses smoothly, occasionally, patients may experience an injury to the mouth or issues with their appliances. These emergencies typically fall into two categories:
Orthodontic Appliance-Related Emergencies
Sometimes, braces or other orthodontic appliances may become damaged or shift during your treatment. If you experience issues such as loose bands, loose brackets, broken wires, or poking appliances, please contact our office during regular patient hours. We do not handle emergencies on a walk-in basis, but we will do our best to schedule you promptly for any necessary repairs.
In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to manage these common orthodontic issues until we can see you:
- Irritating Tie Wire: If a tie wire is causing discomfort, cover it with orthodontic wax or gently tuck it under the archwire using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
- Loose Band or Bracket: A loose band or bracket can usually be left in place until you are able to see us. Be sure to call our office during patient hours so we can schedule you for reattachment if needed.
- Broken or Poking Archwire: If an archwire is broken or poking, you can often use a pencil eraser to bend it into place or carefully trim it with nail clippers. If the issue persists, contact our office during patient hours for further assistance.
For a visual demonstration of managing these issues, please watch the video below, which explains how to handle common orthodontic emergencies.
