family dentist first, since we may not have the necessary materials needed to treat these injuries. If the orthodontic appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust them as soon as possible. Please call our office immediately after seeing your family dentist.

Broken or disturbed appliances are likely to occur from time to time during your orthodontic care. If there are any disturbances, such as loose bands broken or poking wires, call our office as soon as possible so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly. In the interim, the following are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office:

• if a tie wire is irritating you mouth, cover it with bees wax or tuck it under the arch wire using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip,
• A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call the office as soon as you notice a lose band or bracket so we can schedule you to be seen and reattach the loose appliance.
• A broken arch wire, or one that is irritating the gum or cheek tissue, needs to be seen as soon as possible for replacement or adjustment.
• A bent headgear facebow or removable appliance that is not fitting well should not be worn until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to have the appliance adjusted.