What is urgent and what can wait?
Most orthodontic problems are uncomfortable but do not threaten your health, and they can be resolved at a check-up planned within a short time. The table below is a general guide; if you are unsure, the right step is to call the clinic and describe the situation.
| Situation | How urgent? | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Wire end poking the cheek or tongue | Uncomfortable, usually can wait | Cover it with orthodontic wax, call the clinic |
| Loose or rotating bracket | Usually can wait | Take care not to swallow it, book a check-up |
| Broken, cracked or lost clear aligner | Should be dealt with within a few days | Go back to your previous aligner, let the clinic know |
| Facial swelling, fever, tooth damage after an injury | Urgent | Call 112 or go to the nearest healthcare facility |
What you can do at home
Poking wire or bracket edge
Dry the sharp end and press a pea-sized piece of orthodontic wax over it. If you have no wax, sugar-free chewing gum can help temporarily. Do not try to cut or bend the wire yourself; call the clinic to arrange a suitable check-up.
Loose bracket
A loose bracket still held on the wire is usually not painful; if it spins, you can hold it in place with wax. If a part comes off completely, keep it in an envelope and bring it to your appointment. Avoid hard and sticky foods while a bracket is loose.
Broken or lost clear aligner
Do not keep wearing a broken aligner; it can irritate your mouth and no longer applies the right forces to your teeth. Usually you will be advised to wear your previous aligner and let the clinic know. For details, see the clear aligner problems and solutions page.
Broken fixed retainer wire
If the thin wire behind your teeth breaks, the teeth can gradually shift. Wear your removable retainer if you have one and book a check-up within a few days. More about retention: retention.
Safe measures for soreness and mouth sores
- Rinsing with warm salt water a few times a day can soothe sore cheeks and tongue.
- Choose soft foods for the first few days after a new aligner or a wire adjustment.
- If you need a painkiller, use one that suits you and that you have taken before without problems, following the leaflet; ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Do not wait if a sore lasts more than a week or pain or swelling increases; let the clinic know.
When you contact the clinic
- Briefly describe the problem: which tooth, when it started, whether there is pain.
- If possible, send a clear photo via WhatsApp; it makes it easier to judge how urgent it is.
- Bring the broken aligner or the part that came off with you.
- The clinic is in the Park Oran Office building in Oran, Çankaya; the address and opening hours are on the contact page.
Spreading facial swelling, high fever, difficulty breathing or an injury to the mouth and face after an accident is a medical, not an orthodontic, emergency; in these cases call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.