• Here, you can find easy home solutions to some problems that you might occasionally encounter during your treatment.
• You can see a diagram of what braces are made of here.
• Remember, you can always contact us if you ever have any questions!

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• I have a loose band or bracket!
• I have a wire that's poking me!
• I ran out of rubber bands!
• My retainer broke or got lost!
• My braces have a loose wire!
• I lost the elastic tie (the little silver or colored band).
• I can't turn the expander!
• I swallowed a piece of my appliance!
• I'm noticing discoloring of my ties or elastic bands!
• My appliance doesn't fit right!

• I have sore teeth or sore tongue!
• My tooth seems loose!
• My permanent tooth got knocked out by injury!

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If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. You can slide the bracket to one side with your fingers if that is more comfortable and you may be able to slide the band ("ring") back onto the tooth. The bracket will most likely be held onto the wire by the little "rubber ring" or elastic (often colored). You may also place wax on it. If it comes out completely, wrap bracket in tissue. Call our office so that we can take care of it next time.

Try to push the sticking wire away from the irritated area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip (or other blunt object). If the wire cannot be tucked in, cover the wire a small piece of wax or sugarless gum, until you can see us. As an absolute last resort, you can try to cut the wire with a small wire cutter or nail clipper.

No excuses ladies and gentlemen!!! Either come to the office or call us and we'll mail them to you. Remember, finishing of treatment depends on YOU and that involves rubber bands!

If the retainer has broken, do not try to "super-glue" it back. Bring all of the broken pieces to Dr. Tahir and he will determine if it can be repaired or if you'll have to get a new retainer. If you lost your retainer, well then you'll just have to get a new one. Please remember, teeth will start to shift if you don't wear your retainers so get a new one made or get it fixed ASAP.

Try to place the wire back in place with fingers or tweezers from where it came from. Sometimes it helps to see the "other side" that is still intact to see how it should look. As an absolute last resort, you can try to cut the wire with a small wire cutter or fingernail clipper behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. You can also place wax on it if it is poking you.

If the little silver or colored rubber band comes off, it is not an emergency to return to the office right away and have it replaced. In majority of the times, 99.9% of the silver or colored elastics will still be on and therefore, losing one does not matter. On the other hand, if it is an elastic band that is pulling a tooth over or closing a space ("chain"), then returning to the office may be necessary. Please call the office if you need to.

This will usually happen when you have turned the expander screw half way and then removed the key. Think of it like this: The expander screw is like a WHEEL that has 4 holes in it. When you turn 1 hole all the way, the next one will appear so that it could be turned again. Try cleaning the "hole" area with a Q-tip and reinsert the key and push it back fully. Please call the office if you're still unable to turn the expander.

There are times you may swallow one of the colored elastic or a small piece of the wire by accident. A small swallowed piece will usually pass through the system without any problems. However, if you experience difficulty breathing or develop a cough (meaning the piece went into the lungs) in 1-2 days, immediate medical attention will be needed. Please call Dr. Tahir right away also (Pager: 312-370-2298). X-rays will be taken to determine the position of the piece and different options presented for its removal.

There are times when the little rubber bands or elastic thread may become discolored. This can happen with smoking or eating foods with a strong color. No problem! Just call us if you want to have them changed. We want our patients to look their absolute best at all times!!!

Do not try to bend any wires or try to adjust it yourself . Hide your dad's tool box (Ha, Ha) and call Dr. Tahir so we can see you and properly adjust the appliance.

First, this is perfectly NORMAL at the beginning or for 1-2 days after your adjustment. You can take TYLENOL, ADVIL etc. or any other over the counter pain relief medicine. Sometimes, rinsing your mouth with a TEASPOON OF SALT DISSOLVED IN A GLASS OF WARM WATER can also help. If teeth suddenly become sore, there may be a problem. Call Dr. Tahir (pager: 312-370-2298 w/5 minute guarantee to return your call 24 hours) if you have any specific questions.

This is usually NORMAL with orthodontic treatment. If you had an injury and the tooth (teeth) seem loose, please call Dr. Tahir or your family dentist right away. Do not "play" or "rub" a loose tooth with other solid teeth. Also note that it is NOT NORMAL if the tooth can be pushed downward INTO the gums with just finger pressure. If you notice that, please see Dr. Tahir or your family dentist.

The 1st 30 minutes are the most critical! First remain calm and follow these steps: Pick up the tooth by the crown ONLY. Do not touch the roots. If the tooth is clean, put the tooth back into its socket IMMEDIATELY. If the tooth is dirty, rinse the tooth off in clean water or milk and then place it in the socket. DO NOT SCRUB THE TOOTH. Hold the tooth in its socket and call Dr. Tahir (pager: 312-370-2298 remember-5 minute return call back guarantee 24 hours) or your family dentist. If you cannot place the tooth into the socket, place the tooth in a cup of milk or cool, clean tap water and bring it to your dentist. If the tooth stays outside the mouth for over 30 minutes, it will usually NOT survive.