Emergency visits
Sore teeth
Wire irritation
Loose appliances
Lost separator
Lost/broken retainer
Lost Invisalign aligner


Emergency visits
Orthodontic treatment for the most part involves very few true emergencies. If there is a problem/situation that you cannot take care of on your own, please call the office immediately. We try to see patients the same day to bring the problem under control (so that pain or discomfort due to the situation is minimized). It is usually not possible to do a repair at an emergency visit, but you will be scheduled for the required appointment. If you have an emergency after hours, please leave a message on the emergency line and the doctor will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Sore teeth
It is normal to experience some discomfort/pain in the teeth for 3-5 days following initial appliance placement. Using warm water salt rinses frequently and taking some pain medication (that you would normally take for a headache) will help ease the discomfort. Increased sensitivity on biting down/chewing is also common, and it is best to stick to softer foods for a few days.

Similar discomfort can also be felt for a day or two following routine adjustment visits (but it is usually not as severe), and can be dealt with in similar fashion.

As always, please call our office if you have any questions or if the pain persists beyond a week.

Wire irritation
Irritation from the wires and brackets is most common after initial appliance placement. In most cases, this goes away as the cheeks and lips toughen up and get used to the appliances. Wax (provided by our office) can be used to relieve areas that are very sore, especially for the first few days.

After routine adjustment visits, wire irritation can occur at the ends where the wire sticks out of the last bracket as the teeth move. Wax can be used to relieve this and if it is still uncomfortable, please call the office so that we can see you and snip the wire end.

Loose appliances
Whenever you detect a loose appliance, please call and inform the office immediately. Most often, you will be scheduled for an emergency visit to remove the loose bracket so it does not cause discomfort. If time permits, repair will be done the same visit, but most often you will be scheduled for a separate visit to do the repair.

In case that you have a palatal expander that has come loose, call the office immediately and stop turning the key till you see the doctor.

If a band that supports the headgear is loose, call the office immediately, but you can continue to use the headgear if it is not uncomfortable.

Lost separator
If the separator falls out, please call the office immediately to see if you need it re-inserted.

Lost/broken retainer
If your retainers are lost, broken, or not fitting well, please call the office immediately. Teeth can start shifting very fast without good retainers.

Lost Invisalign Aligner
If you misplace your current aligner, go back one stage to the previous aligner and call the office immediately so we can reorder your current one.