What to Do Dealing with Common Orthodontic Issues

Loose bracket

Place wax over the bracket if it’s causing irritation and call our office. The wax will stick better if the area is dry.

Open bracket door

If one of the doors on your braces comes open, try and push the wire back into the bracket and close the door with your finger or the end of a pencil eraser. If this is unsuccessful, please call our office.

Loose band or appliance

Place wax over the area if it’s causing irritation and call our office.

Pokey wire

If the wire is poking out the back, you can place wax over the pokey wire. If this doesn’t help, please call our office.

Sore teeth, gums, or cheeks

Swish with warm salt water and take ibuprofen or Tylenol^® (or whatever you take for a headache).

Rough or sharp spot on band or bracket

Place wax over the area that is causing the irritation. If it is still bothering you, call our office.

Bent, broken, or loose wires

Call our office! If irritating, push the offending wire out of the way or remove any loose wire segments with a pair of tweezers. Cover the sharp or protruding part with wax, gauze, or cotton balls.

Wire out of back bracket

Place the wire back into the slot using tweezers. If you can’t, call our office.

Missing elastic hook

Discontinue wearing elastics and call our office.

Need more elastics

Come by our office and we will give you more, or call our office and we will mail you more elastics.

Problems with elastic wear

Discontinue wearing elastics and call our office. We may be able to talk you through it, send you a reminder card, or have you stop by for some help.

Bent or broken retainers or any other appliance

Discontinue wear and call our office.

Lost retainers

Call our office as soon as possible and make an appointment to have a new retainer made for you. We discount our retainer fees for our patients.

Appointment conflict

Contact our office during regular office hours as soon as possible.