Orthodontic Emergencies:

The following are some guidelines on how to handle the most common orthodontic emergencies that may occur during treatment. Please keep in mind that all of these recommendations are a way to temporarily fix an orthodontic problem until you can be appointed at the office. Please make sure you always call the office in advance to advise us that something is broken or needs to be replaced.

Loose Band:

A band is an orthodontic attachment that completely surrounds your tooth. If a band becomes loose, do not be alarmed. You will need to call the office so that the band can be re-cemented. If the band falls off the tooth, you will need to first have spacers place before it can be re-cemented.

Loose Bond:

A bond is an orthodontic attachment that is glued to the outside surface of each individual tooth. If it becomes lose, you should place wax over it so it doesn't slide around, and call the office so that the band can be re-attached to the tooth. BONDS WILL BREAK BREAK OFF THE TEETH IF YOU DO NOT EAT THE PROPER FOODS, OR IF YOU PLACE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE WIRE OR THE BONDS. A bond that has come off a front tooth should be replaced as soon as possible since these teeth can rotate rather rapidly out of place. However, a bond broken off a back tooth can be replaced at your regular appointment as long as you let us know prior to your regularly scheduled visit.

Broken Wire or Long Wire:

When a wire is broken, try to use a pair of eyebrow tweezers to remove the broken setion of the wire. You can place wax over any remaining sharp points or section of the wire until you can be seen at the office. If a wire sticks out or protrudes, you can use a blunt instrument, e.g., the back of a spoon or the eraser of a pencil, to tuck the wire out of the way until it can be fixed at the office.

Broken ligature or colored elastic:

a ligature is the name for eithe a tin wire or the colored elastic ring that surrounds each individual brace and holds the main wire in place. It is not necessary to have an individual ligature or elastic replaced if they break or come off. they can be replaced at your regular appointment.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WHERE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS NEEDED, OUR EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER IS: 760-420-7478. The staff member who is on call will contact you to help you with the emergency. You will be billed an office visit fee of $35.00 if it is necesary to have a staff member meet you at the office after business hours to take care of the problem.