Chong Orthodontics
Drs. Leonard and Scott Chong
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General Information
 

Although we do our best to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible when you leave our office, appliances can sometimes shift as the teeth move, or can be damaged by hard foods and/or excessive forces.  In most cases, this can be managed with the techniques listed below, and repairs can wait until normal business hours.

 
For an orthodontic emergency involving trauma, difficulty eating, or significant discomfort (more than the normal soreness associated with adjustments), one of the doctors is always available to assist you regardless of the time of day or the day of the week.
 
Please call the office at (510) 489-5671 for instructions on how to reach the on-call doctor.
 

Loose Bands/Brackets 

If a band or bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little rubber colored ring.  This can be addressed during normal business hours unless the patient is in pain.

 

Please call our office to inform us of your situation.  We will either schedule a repair appointment, or add extra time to your next appointment. 

 

If the loose brace is irritating your cheeks, lips, gum, or tongue, try placing wax to cover the rough edges.  If wax does not help, try to gently reposition the loose brace with your fingers or tweezers into a spot where it no longer bothers you.

  

Poking Tie Wire

 

Small wire ties are occasionally used to attach the braces to the main wire.  If the tail end is poking you, gently tuck the end back under the main wire with a Q-tip or pencil eraser.  If this is unsuccessful, place a small piece of wax over the tail.

 

 

                                                       

 

Archwire Irritation

 

If the main wire has come out of the tube on your back molar tooth, you can attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle nosed pliers or tweezers.  If the wire cannot be reinserted and is bothering you, place a piece of wax over the area.

 

As the teeth become straighter, the extra wire can sometimes begin to poke out the end of the last brace on your molars.  Place a small ball of wax placed over the end of the wire.

 

If the wire is bothering you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or toenail clipper close to the back of the last brace.  Please wash all cutters before using them.

 

                                                                      

Band Irritation

 

Metal rings are used on your back molar teeth because they are stronger and you do most of your chewing with your molars.  Sometimes the attachment on the inside of the bands (tongue-side) can be distorted while eating and begins to irritate your tongue.  If you can see the lug sticking out, it can be pushed back towards the band with the flat end of a spoon handle.  If the lug is still bothering you, place a small piece of wax over the area.