Orthodonic Problems – Quick Reference Guide
During the course of treatment your braces will go through a lot of wear and tear; this is completely normal. Because of this we want to provide you with a go-to-guide of what should be treated as an urgent problem or what can wait until your next appointment.
To ensure we have adequate time to see you and properly treat your problem, always call ahead and schedule an appointment. We also ask for understanding in knowing we try our hardest to offer the most convenient appointment times for our patients. However, when we have a full schedule of regular patients you may have to wait or come in at a less convenient time for your emergency appointment.
BRACKETS – Occasionally, brackets come loose even when patients are following instructions properly. Unless one of the following situations applies, YOU MAY WAIT UNTIL YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE BRACKET.
You are hurting
If the bracket that is off is one that a rubber band attaches to
You are getting your braces off at your next appointment, or the doctor or one of his assistants has told you specifically you need to have the bracket replaced if it breaks
If it has been less than two weeks since we put your braces on
WIRES – If the wire comes out of one or a few individual brackets you do not need to schedule an additional appointment. This will not interfere with treatment. If one of the following occurs you should call and schedule an appointment to be seen.
A wire is poking or hurting you
The entire wire is completely out of the braces
You have had your braces on for less than two weeks
COLOR TIES – It is never an emergency if you lose an individual color tie. Always wait until your next appointment to replace the color tie.
POWER CHAIN – If you ever break a power chain or it starts to come off, you need to schedule an appointment so we can make sure the power chain is in place. If you wait to be seen with this problem it could possibly alter treatment.
APPLIANCES (Expander, Herbst, etc) – Any time you have a problem with an appliance, you should always call the office and speak with an assistant; they should be the judge of whether you should be seen immediately or wait until your next appointment.
UNCOVERY – Anytime you have any type of problem or a question with a tooth that either an oral surgeon or doctor is working on as an uncovery; always call the office as soon as possible so we may evaluate the area.
RETAINER – IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUR RETAINER IS WORKING PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES. IF YOU EVER LOOSE OR BREAK YOUR RETAINER YOU NEED TO CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WITHOUT YOUR RETAINER YOU ARE RISKING YOUR TEETH MOVING OR SHIFTING.
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