True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but a poking wire on a Friday night still ruins a weekend. We will talk you through the temporary fix over the phone and get you into the chair to repair it properly.
Genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare. A poking wire on a Friday evening, though, is a real problem when your orthodontist is the only one for hundreds of kilometres, so we would rather you called than sat it out.
Most things that go wrong can be made comfortable at home in a few minutes, and quite a few can then wait until your next scheduled visit. Call the practice, describe what has happened, and we will talk you through the temporary fix and tell you honestly whether you need to come in now or at your next appointment.
What matters is that you do call. An appliance left broken for weeks stops working, and treatment quietly extends by months.
A phone call usually establishes in two minutes whether this is a today problem or a next-visit problem.
Wax, a pencil eraser, a piece of floss, nail clippers. We will tell you exactly what to do with what you have at home.
Anything that needs the chair gets an appointment rather than a place in a queue.
If you are in the area temporarily and your braces were fitted elsewhere, we will still help you.
Wax over anything sharp. A poking wire can be pushed down with a pencil eraser. Salt-water rinses settle sore gums.
If a bracket or band comes away completely, put it in an envelope and bring it to your appointment.
Describe what has happened. We will tell you whether it needs attention now or can safely wait.
We rebond, replace or adjust whatever has failed, and check that the treatment plan is still on track.
Push it flat with the eraser end of a pencil, or cover the end with a pea-sized piece of orthodontic wax. If it will not sit comfortably and it is the very end of the wire, you can clip it behind the last securely attached tooth with a clean nail clipper as a last resort, then call us.
Usually not. If it is still threaded on the wire, leave it there and cover it with wax. If it has come off completely, save it and call us so we can decide whether to bring your next appointment forward.
Yes, for three to five days. Stick to soft food and rinse with warm salt water. Take paracetamol if you need it. We suggest avoiding ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen during active treatment, as they can slow tooth movement.
Severe pain you cannot settle, an appliance that is causing injury, facial trauma, or a broken appliance that is preventing you from eating. Anything involving a suspected jaw fracture, uncontrolled bleeding or difficulty breathing goes to the hospital or 911 first.
Yes, call us. We will make you comfortable and do what is needed to get you through your trip, and send a note to your own orthodontist afterwards.
A series of clear, removable aligners that straighten your teeth without brackets or wires. We work with several aligner systems and choose the one that fits your case. You take them out to eat, brush and floss normally, and most people around you will never notice you are in treatment.
The most proven appliance in orthodontics, and far more comfortable than the braces you remember. High-grade stainless steel brackets and light archwires move teeth predictably, with coloured elastics if you want them.
Ceramic brackets in a translucent, tooth-toned material that blends into your smile instead of standing out against it. They work exactly like metal braces and are usually placed on the upper front teeth, where visibility matters most.
Something has come loose or started poking? Call the practice. Most of it is fixable, and none of it should ruin your week.
