Information
Emergency - What to do?
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur, we are available for you.
Please call us during our office hours 031 351 11 43.
Outside of our office hours you can send us an email or call the dental emergency hotline of Bern Phone: 0900 57 67 47
Braces-related emergencies
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you can get to our office.
If there is a loose piece that you can remove, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment. If your braces are poking you, put soft wax on the piece that's sticking out. If the wire has slid to one side, you can pull it back to the other side with needle-nosed pliers, replacing it in the tube on the back tooth.
After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressure for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until your teeth do not hurt to chew. Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 250ml of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously.
If the tenderness is severe, take a painkiller but pay attention not to use Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn, Anaprox). These will actually slow tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces.
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your appointment. Please contact us as soon as possible.
Using the back of a pencil (eraser part), push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking.
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your appointment. Please contact us as soon as possible.
Invisalign ® -related emergencies
Aligner is lost, damaged or doesn’t fit:
Go back to the previous aligner and please contact our office as soon as possible for further advice. Replacement aligners can be ordered for you.
Attachment:
If you lost an attachment or an attachment is poking you please contact our office. It is important to re-bond the attachment in terms of tracking the tooth movement.
Hygiene
Brushing with Braces
Brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As an alternative, you can use an electric toothbrush to increase your brushing effectiveness.
Brush the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth using small, gentle, circular motions while positioning the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Pay close attention to the areas between brackets and your gums.
Aligner
Taking care of Aligners
Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. You can use a normal tooth brush. Rinse under running water and brush until clean
Never use denture cleaner or soak in alcohol or bleach, as they will be damaged
If you eat strongly colored food, such as a curry or anything with turmeric, please rinse you mouth with water thoroughly to avoid any discoloration from the aligners
Storage of Aligners
Always place the aligners in the cases provided. Never place aligners in napkins or any other case. Never place in a pocket that can be sat on.
Always keep your previous aligner. Should you lose your current aligner, we may request you to return to the previous aligner while we order you new ones.
iTero Scanner
An important part of a reliable treatment is the integration of advanced technology, including our brand-new iTero Element 2 3D intraoral scanner.
The iTero Scanner
Our goal is to create the most effective and comfortable orthodontic treatment possible for our patients. This is why we use the up-to-date iTero digital impression system.
The digital scanner eliminates the need for the uncomfortable old school dental impressions.
By using this digital scanner, we’ll be able to take 3-D digital images/ impressions of your teeth and your bite. This will allow us to formulate a personalized treatment plan based on your needs and desires. After we’ve agreed upon a treatment plan, the digital impressions will help us create your customized treatment plan.
Digital impressions have numerous benefits over traditional impressions
- Better accuracy – These impressions will capture the exact contours of your teeth.
- Efficiency – You will not have to spend as much time in the treatment chair.
- Comfort – There’s no need for messy and uncomfortable putty that can often make patients gag. Taking impressions of a patient’s teeth with digital images is much less invasive.
- Customization – They can provide a digital plan and make aligner trays that are specifically tailored to meet the individual needs and desires of each patient.
- Visualization – Even before the orthodontic treatment has begun, the iTero scanner can provide images of what the patient’s teeth will look like after the treatment is completed!