Accidents happen. Emergencies happen. Life happens. During your orthodontic treatment, you may encounter an unexpected emergency. Most common orthodontic emergencies are minor and do not require a visit to the emergency room. These emergencies can be resolved with a visit to one of our offices in Merritt Island, Melbourne, or Viera.
(If you find yourself experiencing an unfortunate trauma that is not a common orthodontic emergency, we urge you to visit the emergency room immediately.)
If a bracket or wire pops out of place, a rubber band comes off your braces, or you require a braces emergency appointment of any kind, don’t panic!
Chances are good that we’ve dealt with a similar dental emergency. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us at your earliest availability. We want to prevent further damage from happening to your mouth or appliance, and we want to relieve your discomfort as soon as possible.
What are orthodontic emergencies?
If an accident occurs while you’re undergoing treatment, it’s considered an orthodontic emergency. Any injury you incur to your mouth, teeth, or face can be an orthodontic emergency.
See the following best practices for handling orthodontic emergencies:
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Loose, broken, or dislodged braces brackets
In the case of loose, broken, or dislodged brackets, put the bracket in a ziploc bag and give us a call. If you don’t have the dislodged piece of braces, that’s okay! When you call us, we will schedule an appointment with you to visit us as soon as possible and we will discuss the best plan of action moving forward. If you lost one of your Invisalign buttons that was glued to your tooth, keep wearing your Invisalign aligners as normal until you can get it to have it replaced.
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Soreness caused by pokey brackets, wires, or metal pieces
If you’re experiencing soreness due to pokey brackets, wires, or other pieces, use orthodontic wax (also known as dental wax) to cover the sharp piece. The wax will provide a temporary solution to relieve any soreness until you’re able to visit us. We gave this to you at the start of your treatment and if you have run out, you can find it at any store in the dental hygiene section
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Tooth pain or loose teeth
Some minor tooth discomfort or tooth looseness is common while you’re wearing braces or Invisalign®. The point of orthodontic treatment is to shift the teeth into alignment, so it’s normal if the teeth are a bit sore or loose in response to the pressure. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like Tylenol®, will help to alleviate any related soreness. You may also feel that you have more headaches during your treatment which may be related to clenching your teeth together. Feel free to call us and we can walk you through these issues.
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Broken or misplaced appliance
In the event of a broken appliance—and trust us, it happens—it’s important not to put the appliance back in your mouth if it is not fitting well. If you have a retainer or other appliance that breaks, place it in a ziploc bag or your retainer case and bring it to your next appointment with us. Give us a call, and we will see you as soon as possible to prevent any teeth from shifting. If you have a 3D printed model we gave you of your teeth at the end of your treatment, please bring this with you as well.
No matter which common orthodontic emergency you experience, we want you to visit our office as soon as you can. Our emergency orthodontists, Dr. Caudill and Dr. McNeight, along with our wonderful ortho team, want to keep you smooth-sailing toward your ideal smile.
If you encounter a common emergency, relax! Accidents happen; and when they do, we know how to handle them. Contact our office immediately and our emergency orthodontists will prioritize your visit. You can always text us pictures of your problem too.
In the unfortunate event that you endure a traumatic injury or experience serious pain, please go to the emergency room immediately.
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us.
