Occasionally, some patients will experience a dental emergencies while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances. At Oyster Orthodontics, we understand that orthodontic emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Whether it’s a broken wire, a loose bracket, or sudden discomfort, we are here to provide prompt and effective emergency care to alleviate your pain and address your concerns.
Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances
If there are any disturbances, such as loose bands, loose brackets, broken or poking wires, please call our office during patient hours. For your convenience and the convenience of scheduled patients, it is not possible to handle emergencies on a walk-in basis. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until our office can see you.
- If a wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with wax or tuck it under the archwire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip. If the wire is broken, call our office so we can schedule an appointment to replace the wire.
- A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call us during patient hours, when you notice a loose band or bracket. We will schedule you to reattach the loose appliance if indicated.
- Watch the video below that explains how to handle an orthodontic emergency.
Direct Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth
Following a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether undergoing orthodontic care or not, immediately ice the injured area and you should contact your regular dentist as soon as possible. Usually, an x-ray of the involved tooth or teeth is needed 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, since we may not have the necessary materials or anesthesia required to treat these injuries. If the appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust the appliances as soon as possible, after you have seen your general dentist, depending upon the comfort level of the patient.
After Office Hours
If an orthodontic emergency arises where the patient is in pain after hours, please contact our office.
