Emergency Orthodontic Care From Pasha Orthodontics
While orthodontic treatment at Pasha Orthodontics is designed to be as efficient and effective as possible, minor issues can occasionally cause temporary discomfort. Luckily, most of these problems can be safely managed at home until your next visit. To help you understand how to handle unexpected issues with your treatment, we’ve listed common problems and easy steps you can take to lessen discomfort.
If a true emergency occurs that cannot wait or be resolved at home, call our Naperville, Aurora, or Plainfield office immediately. We have an on-call assistant outside of business hours to best accommodate our patients, and we’ll make sure you get the prompt help you need.
Handling Orthodontic Emergencies at Home
Here are some common problems that may occur during your braces or Invisalign® treatment and tips on how you can solve them at home:
Occasionally, a braces bracket can come loose from your tooth. This can be a noticeable and bothersome problem. If the bracket is still attached to the wire and isn’t causing discomfort, leave it in place and cover it with orthodontic wax until you can be seen by our team. If the bracket is dangling or irritating, carefully remove it with sterilized tweezers, save it, and bring it with you to your next appointment.
Sometimes, the wires of your braces may start poking and irritate your cheeks or gums. To fix this problem, use a clean pencil eraser or cotton swab to gently push the wire flat against your tooth. Orthodontic wax can also provide relief by cushioning the wire. If the wire is long and uncomfortable, use sterilized nail clippers to carefully trim it, and then contact us to schedule a repair.
If you or your child’s appliance comes loose, such as an expander or Herbst appliance, gently push the appliance back into place and give us a call on the next business day to schedule a repair. If the appliance completely comes off, place it in a safe place (such as a clear plastic sandwich bag) to bring into the office on our next business day so that one of our doctors can replace the appliance.
For Herbst appliances, you may find that one of the arms comes loose. If so, you can use a clean, unused 0.05 L wrench to tighten the arms and keep them in place until you or your child can be seen.
It’s common to experience some soreness after starting treatment for the first time or shortly after your braces have been adjusted. We recommend that you stick to eating soft foods, rinse your mouth with warm salt water, and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed (if necessary and approved by your physician). You can even relieve soreness with cold foods like ice cream! The discomfort from new or tightened appliances typically subsides within a few days, but if it persists, contact our office.
If your Invisalign aligners or retainers become damaged or are lost, give us a call so we can determine whether you need a replacement right away or if you can wait until your next visit.
Your Comfort Is Our Priority
At Pasha Orthodontics, our goal is for your treatment to progress as smoothly as possible. You deserve an orthodontic experience that’s stress-free and comfortable. If you’re ever unsure about what to do to fix a problem, contact one of our offices. Our experienced, friendly team is always ready to help!