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Emergency Care
A straightforward approach: “Inspection and detection, prompts reporting, adjustment and repair of appliance problems.”
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur, we are available to help you. Time is available every clinic day! If you have a problem, please call us at (248) 282-7298 without delay. Early detection, reporting, adjustment, and repair of appliance problems minimize treatment delay and unnecessary additional appliance damage.
Please Schedule Problems in Advance:
- We often need more time than we’ve set aside for your normal appointment.
- Learn the names of the major parts of your appliance. It will help you describe your problem when you call.
- An accurate description of your problem helps us set aside sufficient time for adjustment or repair.
Stop Gap Measures to Lasting Solutions
- loose band or bracket - If your bracket or band is still attached to the arch wire, leave it in place. Cover the irritating portion of the appliance with dental wax or a ball of moist cotton. If any part of your brace or appliance is completely detached, bring the loose parts to your repair appointment. They may be needed.
- poking wire - Cover the end of the poking arch wire with a ball of moist cotton.
- arch wire is out of the tube on the molar bracket - Reinsert the end of your arch wire into the tube on the molar bracket. If your effort fails, place a moist cotton ball over the end of the poking arch wire. Call us immediately, describe the problem, and schedule a prompt appointment for adjustment or repair.
- temporary tenderness of the teeth and gums
- increased salivation
- difficulty eating, swallowing, and speaking
New appliance and newly-applied brace problems are temporary. They’ll soon subside with continued appliance wear. Over-the-counter pain relievers are rarely needed. If discomfort is severe and unrelenting, or an appliance can’t be worn as directed, call us at (248) 282-7298 without delay.
- loss of appliance fit - If your appliance becomes loose or loses its fit, please call us without delay! If possible, continue to wear your loose appliance to avoid relapse or loss of treatment gains.
- irritation - if your appliance or braces irritate soft tissues, try covering the offending portion of the appliance or brace with a ball of moist cotton.
- elastic discomfort - When elastic forces are first applied to your teeth, your teeth might become mildly tender. Tenderness will subside as your teeth begin to move.
- confusion - If you are confused about how to hook up your elastics call us.
- no elastics - If you lose or run out of elastics call us. We can mail elastics to you if necessary.