Orthodontics By Dr. Gregg Hipple

Orthodontic Emergencies
Some minor problems can occur during orthodontic treatment ranging from sore teeth and swollen gums to bent wires and broken brackets. You can avoid most broken brackets and bent wires by following the prescribed care for braces and avoiding certain foods. For more information on this, check out our "Caring for Braces" section. But even with the toughest braces and proper care, minor adjustments may need to be made. In some cases you will be able to fix the problem, but in many cases, you will need to contact our office immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. Here are a few common problems that could occur during the course of treatment:

"The Poker" - when a wire pokes your cheek or tongue, gently try to move the wire in place with a pencil eraser. Otherwise cover the wire with soft wax or cotton and call for an emergency appointment.
"Shorty" - when a wire becomes too short and dislodges from a bracket, try clipping the wire with a finger nail clipper. Please call immediately for an emergency appointment
"Loosey Goosey" - sometimes braces can become loose. The loose brace will require repair so your treatment can progress on schedule. Please call immediately for an emergency appointment.
"Spaced Out" - sometimes a spacer is lost. Please call right away to see if your missing spacer needs to be replaced.
"No Pain, No Gain" - after some visits, our patients may experience sore teeth as they try to move into place. Please take the medication you normally take for a headache as directed on the container. Also, you might want to try some of our "Soothing Recipes" during this time.
"Retainer Blues" - retainers are designed to hold your teeth in place. Not wearing retainers as directed can result in a delay of progress or relapse. Please call immediately if you lost your retainer or if your retainer doesn't fit, so another one can be fabricated for you.

Other Dental Emergencies: If some other type of dental emergency occurs such as a laceration, puncture wound, a broken or chipped tooth, a tooth knocked out or out of place, contact your family dentist preferably within the first 30 minutes.

Emergency Appointments
We offer midday repair appointments every day. Repairs normally take longer than regularly scheduled adjustment visits, so in an effort to be on time for all of our patients, we perform repairs during our midday schedule. Please call in advance if you require a repair of a broken or loose wire, a loose brace, or replacement of a lost retainer.

7729 79th Street South - Cottage Grove, MN 55016 - Phone: 651.459.6674
e-mail: info@orthodonticsbyhipple.com - www.orthodonticsbyhipple.com
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