Hulse Orthodontics Emergency Information

What to do in case of an emergency

Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances so we may schedule an appropriate repair appointment for you. Even if you have a regularly scheduled appointment coming up, by calling, we can allow the additional time needed to complete all needed procedures. We may also be reached after hours and on the weekends by calling our office phone and following the prompts for emergencies: 760-448-1344.

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 schedule an appointment for you.

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 piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.

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.