Sometimes, appliances might be broken or bent during your orthodontic care. If there are any disturbances, such as loose bands, loose brackets, broken or poking wires, please call our office for an appointment during patient hours. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until our office can see you.

• If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with wax or tuck it under the archwire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
• A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call our office during patient hours when you notice a loose band or bracket. We will schedule you to reattach the loose appliance if indicated.
• A broken or poking archwire can often be bent in with a pencil erasure or cut with nail clippers. Call our office during patient hours if you do not feel the problem has been resolved properly.
• Watch the video below that helps explain how to handle an orthodontic emergency. Courtesy of Bracesquestions.com:  https://www.bracesquestions.com/braces-videos/braces-problems.html

Direct Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth

Following a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether undergoing orthodontic care or not, immediately ice the injured area and you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. Usually, an x-ray of the involved tooth or teeth is needed to determine the extent of the injury. If a tooth has been displaced, knocked out, or fractured, it is best to contact your dentist first. If your child is a patient of Dr. Trotter’s, please call the office for an emergency appointment. If it is after hours, do not hesitate to call the emergency phone number.

After Office Hours
If an orthodontic emergency arises after hours where the patient is in pain, please contact our office for further assistance.

Life with Braces
Click here to download a copy of our “Life with Braces” form, which summarizes how to deal with various orthodontic emergencies.