Emergency Care
You probably won’t experience a true orthodontic emergency because they are rare. But since they do happen from time to time, it’s important for you to know how to handle them.
Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances
Parts of your appliances can get broken or bent during your treatment. If you have loose bands, loose brackets, or broken or poking wires, please call our office and schedule an appointment. We aren’t currently able to handle emergencies on a walk-in basis.
Here are some helpful hints to deal with minor problems while you wait for your appointment.
- If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with beeswax or tuck it under the archwire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
- You can leave a loose band or bracket in place until your appointment.
- You can bend a broken or poking archwire with a pencil erasure, or trim it with nail clippers.
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Direct Injuries to Your Mouth and Teeth
If your mouth or teeth are injured, immediately ice the area and contact your regular dentist as soon as you can. You will usually need an x-ray to determine how bad the injury is.
If your tooth has been displaced, knocked out or fractured, you should contact your dentist first because they will have the tools and anesthesia needed to treat your injury.
If your appliances are dislodged or displaces, we’ll need to adjust or replace them as soon as possible after you have seen your dentist.
After Office Hours
If an orthodontic emergency arises where the patient is in pain after hours, please contact our office. Information is available regarding who to contact for further assistance.
