At Bruner Orthodontics we strongly believe that with great patient education, we can help all of our patients to either avoid or greatly reduce orthodontic emergencies during treatment. Below is a list of the most common emergencies that can occur, with both an explanation of what you can do at home and methods of prevention. Though rare, if you do experience an emergency, we are here for you. We make it a priority to keep you feeling good, and on track with treatment.
Pokey Wire
As your teeth level and align, the wire straightens and can become too long. This can also occur when the power chain closes space between your teeth. We highly recommend using wax on this area as a temporary fix, but please feel free to call our office and we’d be happy to clip it for you.
Broken Brackets
You can tell if you have a broken bracket if it has come loose from the tooth and is spinning on the wire, or if it has come off completely. This is generally caused by eating sticky or hard foods, biting on the bracket, or trauma to the mouth. If the bracket remains on the wire, you can use wax to alleviate any discomfort. Lastly, be sure to call the office to set an appointment.
Loose Wire
This type of emergency simply means the wire has come out of the bracket slot on the back teeth. Preventative measures include avoiding sticky or hard foods. If a loose wire does occur, depending on the wire you may be able to place the wire back in with the help of tweezers. You can also use wax to cover, and then call the office to set an appointment.
Pokey/Broken Elastic Hook
Elastic hooks are what enable the use of elastics. If your elastic hook is poking, you can use the same technique as with a pokey wire by covering it with wax. If broken, please call the office to set an appointment. Broken elastic hooks are generally caused by eating hard, sticky foods, bending the hook with fingers, or trauma to the mouth.
Bite Turbo Off
In order to prop open a deep bite, white/clear composite is placed on the back of the upper central teeth. Bite Turbos can come off due to biting down too hard or eating sticky foods.
Please call the office to set an appointment.
Bite Pad Off
A bite pad is blue composite on the surface of the premolars and is used to open up the bite. They can come off due to biting down too hard or eating sticky foods. Please call office to set an appointment.
Power Chain Loose or Off
A power chain is simply a chain placed around each bracket to close space. Sometimes it can come off a few teeth or come off completely, caused by eating sticky food or may come off on its own. Please call off to set an appointment.
Loose or Broken Appliance
This applies most commonly to the Herbst, Quad Helix, Expander, Thumb Crib, or Lingual Holding Arch. A broken or loose appliance can be caused by opening too wide, eating hard or sticky foods, or biting too hard. Please call the office to set an appointment.
General Soreness
When braces first come on, they can cause a general soreness in the mouth, and teeth may be tender for three to five days. With a temporary soft food diet and over the counter aspirin you should be feeling fine and back to normal in just a few days. If cheeks grow sensitive to the braces, feel free to place wax over them.
We hope the following information helps you, and always feel free to call the office with any orthodontic questions.
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