1. Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances

Occasionally, orthodontic appliances may become broken or bent during treatment. If you experience any issues like loose bands, loose brackets, or broken/poking wires, please call our office to schedule an appointment during patient hours. For the convenience of all patients, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins for emergencies.

In the meantime, here are some tips to help manage common issues until you can visit our office:

• Irritating Tie Wire: Cover it with beeswax or tuck it under the archwire using a pencil eraser or Q-tip.

• Loose Band or Bracket: Generally, these can be left in place until you can be seen. Call us to arrange an appointment to reattach the loose appliance if needed.

• Broken or Poking Archwire: Use a pencil eraser to gently bend it or trim it with nail clippers. If the issue persists, contact our office during patient hours.

2. Direct Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth

If you experience a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether or not you’re wearing braces, apply ice to the injured area and contact your regular dentist as soon as possible. An x-ray will likely be needed to assess the extent of the injury. If a tooth is displaced, knocked out, or fractured, it’s best to see your family dentist first, as we may not have the necessary materials to treat the injury. If your orthodontic appliances are affected, we can adjust or replace them once you’ve been seen by your dentist, depending on your comfort.

After-Hours Care

If an emergency arises outside of office hours and you are in pain, please contact our office. Instructions for after-hours assistance will be provided to ensure you receive the care you need.