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Handling Dental Emergencies During Orthodontic Treatment
At times, patients may sustain a mouth injury while undergoing treatment. Dental emergencies with braces or other orthodontic appliances typically fall into two categories.
Orthodontic Appliance Emergencies
If you experience any issues with your orthodontic appliances, such as loose bands, brackets, or wires, please contact our office to schedule an appointment during patient hours. We are unable to accommodate emergencies on a walk-in basis in order to maintain the convenience of our scheduled patients. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to address common problems you may encounter until you can be seen by our office.
- If you are experiencing discomfort from a tie wire, you can cover it with beeswax or gently tuck it under the arch wire using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
- If you have a loose band or bracket, it is usually okay to leave it in place until your next appointment. Please call Blue Wave Orthodontics during patient hours if you notice a loose band or bracket so we can schedule you to have it reattached if necessary.
- For a broken or poking archwire, you can try bending it with a pencil eraser or cutting it with nail clippers. If you are unable to resolve the issue, please contact our office during patient hours for further assistance.
- Check out this YouTube video for more information on how to handle orthodontic emergencies.
Direct Injuries to the Oral Cavity and Teeth
In case of a mouth or teeth injury, whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or not, it is important to immediately apply ice to the affected area and contact your regular dentist promptly. An x-ray may be necessary to assess the extent of the injury, especially if a tooth is displaced, knocked out, or fractured. It is recommended to reach out to your family dentist first for treatment in such cases, as they may have the required materials and anesthesia. If any appliances are dislodged or displaced, they will need to be replaced or adjusted as soon as possible, following a visit to your general dentist and depending on the patient's comfort level.
Outside of Regular Office Hours
In case of an orthodontic emergency outside of office hours causing pain to the patient, please reach out to our office for assistance. Contact information for further help is provided.