Emergency Care

Occasionally, during orthodontic treatment, you may experience some discomfort or issues with your braces or other appliances. Here are some helpful tips to manage these problems until our office can see you.

Types of Emergencies

Injuries to the Mouth or Teeth

If you experience an injury to your mouth or teeth—whether during orthodontic treatment or not—it’s important to act quickly:

1. Ice the Injured Area: Immediately apply ice to the injured area to reduce swelling and discomfort.
2. Contact Your Dentist: Call your regular dentist as soon as possible. An x-ray may be needed to assess the extent of the injury.
3. Call Us: Let us know about the injury, even if you’ve already contacted your dentist. If a tooth has been displaced, knocked out, or fractured, it’s typically best to visit your family dentist first, as we may not have the necessary tools or anesthesia for such injuries.
4. Orthodontic Appliance Adjustments: If any appliances have been displaced or damaged, we can replace or adjust them once your dentist has treated the injury, depending on your comfort level.

Broken Orthodontic Appliances

If any part of your orthodontic appliance breaks or becomes displaced, don’t worry. Here’s what you can do:

• Loose Bands or Brackets: If you notice a loose band or bracket, it can usually remain in place until you can visit our office. Please contact us during office hours to schedule an appointment for reattaching the appliance.
• Broken or Poking Wires: If a wire is broken or poking into your gums, cover it with beeswax or sugarless gum for comfort. Alternatively, you can gently move the wire with a blunt object (like a pencil eraser or Q-tip). Contact us during office hours for further assistance if you are still uncomfortable.
• Tie Wire Irritation: If a tie wire is bothering your mouth, you can also cover it with wax or gum or use the same technique to tuck it under the archwire.
• Emergency Appointments: If you are in pain or the issue requires immediate attention, please call our office during patient hours. If you are unable to reach us, we may not be able to accommodate walk-ins, but we will make every effort to assist you.

How to Handle a Broken or Poking Archwire

If your archwire is broken or poking into your mouth, try bending it with a pencil eraser or cutting it with nail clippers. Once resolved, be sure to contact our office to ensure that the issue is handled correctly.