Dental emergencies while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances fall into two categories:
- Direct injuries to the face, mouth or teeth
- Emergencies to orthodontic appliances
Direct Injuries to the Face, Mouth or Teeth
Following a direct injury to your face, mouth or teeth, whether undergoing orthodontic care or not, you should visit 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 knocked out, severely displaced, or fractured, it is best to contact your family dentist and us immediately. In some instances, you may need to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If the orthodontic appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust them as soon as possible. Please call us immediately after seeing your family dentist. If you are unable to reach your family dentist or an alternate emergency facility, call this office and we will try to assist you in locating a doctor to care for the injury.
Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances
Broken or “disturbed” appliances may occur from time to time during your orthodontic care. If there is any disturbance, such as loose bands or broken or jabbing wires, call our office as soon as possible so that we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you accordingly.
In the interim, here are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems that you may encounter until you can be seen in our office.
- If a wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax.
- Use the end of a pencil eraser to bend in a poking wire.
- Cut a poking wire with nail clippers or cuticle clippers.
- A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until Dr. Wilhite can see you, but call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to reattach the loose band or bracket.
- A broken archwire or one that is irritating the gum or cheek tissue needs to be evaluated for replacement or adjustment.
- Do not wear a bent headgear, facebow or removable appliance that is not fitting well, until it can be properly adjusted at the office. Call as soon as possible to schedule an appointment, so Dr. Wilhite can make the adjustment.
If you are a patient of record and have an after hours orthodontic emergency, call our office phone number. You will be directed as to what to do.
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