Emergency Care
Emergencies
During orthodontic treatment, patients may experience mouth injuries that require immediate attention. Such dental emergencies typically fall into two categories: those related to the orthodontic appliances themselves and those unrelated to them.
What is an Emergency?
At times, you may encounter broken or bent appliances during your orthodontic treatment, resulting in dental emergencies. If you experience any issues such as loose bands, loose brackets, or poking wires, please call our office during patient hours to schedule an appointment. Here are some helpful tips to alleviate any problems you may experience:
- If a tie wire is irritating, cover it with beeswax or tuck it under the archwire with a blunt object.
- A loose band or bracket can usually wait until you see us.
- If an archwire is broken or poking, try bending it with a pencil eraser or cutting it with nail clippers.
Watch our emergency video for more information.
Direct Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth
In case of a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or not, it is important to immediately apply ice to the affected area and contact your regular dentist. They will need to take an x-ray to determine the extent of the injury. If a tooth has been displaced, knocked out, or fractured, it is best to contact your family dentist first as we may not have the necessary materials or anesthesia to treat such injuries. Once you have seen your general dentist, we will need to replace or adjust the appliances as soon as possible depending on your comfort level.