Orthodontic Emergencies

True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they do occur Fresh Smiles Advanced Orthodontics and Dental Care Clinic Family Dental is here to help you at anytime. Most problems with orthodontic appliances can be managed using the kit that Fresh Smiles Advanced Orthodontics and Dental Care Clinic Family Dental provides during the appointment in which you receive your orthodontic appliance.

Orthodontic Emergencies: When to Call Us

Loose brackets and poking wires can be irritating and frustrating, but as long as you come in to have them repaired within the first few days after an issue arises, you or your child will not be at risk for any adverse impacts on your treatment. If you notice any of the issues we list below, we encourage you to contact Fresh Smiles Advanced Orthodontics and Dental Care Clinic Family Dental and make an appointment to have your orthodontic appliances examined and repaired.

It is also important to note that taking proper care of your appliance and wearing a mouthguard during sports and physical activities is the best possible way to prevent minor (or major) orthodontic emergencies, when combined with an effective oral hygiene routine.

Home Remedies & Interim Care for Minor Orthodontic Issues

You may be able to temporarily solve many problems at home until you can schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you are able to identify which part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule time for repairs. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan, potentially lengthening your treatment plan.

General Soreness

When you first get your braces, and occasionally following adjustments, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can often be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. If pain persists, contact us for an evaluation.

The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen any discomfort. We will show you how to use the wax when we provide your kit at during the initial placement of your orthodontic appliance.

Headgear

Sometimes headgear discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed by your orthodontist. Please refer to the instructions provided by your orthodontist. If the facebow is bent, please contact us for an evaluation. Headgear typically becomes more comfortable the longer it is worn, so it is extremely important that it be worn for the entire time prescribed. If you are wearing your headgear for the prescribed hours and are still experiencing pain or discomfort, contact us and we will be happy to help you.

Loose Appliance

If your appliance is poking or causing discomfort in your mouth, place wax on the part that is bothering you until you are able to contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.

Loose Bracket

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue. Then you should immediately contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.

Loose Wire

You can use tweezers to try to put your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax doesn’t help, you can snip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on the wire and contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.

Poking Wire

You can use a pencil eraser to push the poking wire down, or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort. If the discomfort continues or the poking wire is severe, please contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.

Cost and Insurance Coverage for Orthodontic Emergencies

Brackets and orthodontic appliances are designed to stay in place and last for the duration of treatment. However, we understand that sometimes accidents happen, and occasionally brackets, wires, or elastics may become loose or come off altogether. Addressing accidental orthodontic emergencies is covered under the estimate for your complete orthodontic treatment plan.

How to make appointment to address an orthodontic emergency

Fresh Smiles Advanced Orthodontics and Dental Care Clinic Family Dental offers complimentary orthodontic emergency evaluations at all of our locations. We recommend calling ahead to speak with a member of our team to help make sure we can help you or your loved one as quickly and effectively as possible.