Patients should call our office as soon as possible if braces are causing extreme pain or if any of their appliances are broken or loose. In some cases, issues can be addressed over the telephone. Waiting until the next regularly scheduled appointment can affect treatment and lengthen time in braces. Dr. Wilson likes to see patients as soon as possible to repair or replace broken appliances.
If you require an emergency appointment, we will do our best to find an appointment time for you that day. Please understand that an emergency appointment time may not be available during your ideal time, but we will do our best to accommodate you. In the case of true orthodontic emergencies that take place after office hours, an on-call assistant can be reached at 214.450.5281.
Pain or Discomfort Due to Orthodontic Treatment
Patients are expected to feel some pain, soreness or discomfort during the first week after their braces are placed. Acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers can help alleviate this discomfort and is advised for at least the immediate 48 hours following the initial placement of braces. Dr. Wilson also recommends patients eat soft foods like applesauce or mashed potatoes. Many patients also enjoy ice cream, smoothies or frozen yogurt.
Lost Separators
It is not uncommon for separators to fall out during treatment. They can be easily replaced, if necessary. Patients should call the office to see if a separator needs to be replaced before their next appointment.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Patients should call the office immediately if they experience a loose band or bracket. Unless the patient is in pain, it is not always necessary or possible for the patient to be seen that same day. However, Dr. Wilson likes to re-bond the loose or broken appliance as soon as possible, so the staff will try and schedule the next available appointment time to repair the appliance.