The following outline describes how orthodontic emergencies/repairs are handled for patients wearing orthodontic appliances. Emergencies while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances fall into two categories: - direct injuries to the mouth or teeth or
- emergencies to orthodontic appliances
Direct injuries to the mouth or teeth
Following a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether undergoing orthodontic care or not, you should be seen by your family dentist as soon as possible. Usually an x-ray of the involved tooth or teeth is needed to determine the extent of injury. If a tooth has been knocked out, severely displaced or fractured, it is best to contact your family dentist first, since we may not have the necessary materials needed to treat these injuries. If orthodontic appliances are dislodged or displaced we will need to replace or adjust them as soon as possible. Please call our office immediately after seeing your family dentist. If you are unable to reach your family dentist or an alternate emergency facility, call our office and we will assist you in locating someone to care for the injury.
Emergencies related to orthodontic appliances
Broken or loose appliances may occur during your orthodontic care. If there is any disturbance such as loose bands or broken or poking wires, call our office as soon as possible so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly. If you need assistance outside business hours, please call our office and our voice mail will give you instructions on what to do and whom to call. In the interim, the following are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office:
- If a wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax or tuck it under using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or a Q-tip.
- A bent headgear face bow or removable appliance that is not fitting well is not to be worn until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to have the headgear or appliance adjusted.
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