Emergency Info

Emergency Info

What to Do in Case of Emergency

Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired. Please call before coming directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you and minimize your wait. Patients of Dr. Pollei can always contact him at home in emergency situations as well.

Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment

During the first week after your braces are in place it is typical to feel tooth soreness and discomfort. After all, you are getting used to a lot of changes in your mouth. You may take ibuprofen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces provided you do not have an allergy to ibuprofin. Chewing sugar free gum can help to shorten the period of adjustment.

Wire Irritations

Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful or pokes your cheek, you may cut it with nail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Of course you may always call our office for an appointment as well.

Loose Brackets or Bands

Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may arrange to schedule an appointment for you.

Lost Separators

Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.