If you are having an orthodontic emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team! Getting a permanent fix will ensure that your treatment stays on schedule, and we may be able to help you with DIY solutions until we can get you in for your emergency appointment.
Orthodontic emergencies
Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but they do happen. If you experience such an emergency, rest assured that Dr. Solomon and her team are always here to help.
Should you contact your orthodontist?
Please keep in mind that orthodontic emergencies are not life-threatening and are different from traditional dental emergencies. If you or your loved one is experiencing swelling, intense pain, or heavy bleeding, please visit an emergency room as soon as possible.
Here are some of the concerns patients may contact our practice about during their treatment:
Your mouth feels sore
A sore mouth during orthodontic treatment is not an emergency. In fact, it’s completely normal for your mouth to feel sore for the first few days after fitting, adjustments, or switching to a new set of aligner trays.
This discomfort shouldn’t persist for longer than three days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. If your discomfort lasts longer than three days, please let our team know so we can assess your smile.
You have a loose bracket
If you suffer trauma to your teeth or eat hard or sticky foods, one of your brackets may become dislodged. This can delay your treatment if not fixed.
If you need immediate dental health due to facial trauma, please contact emergency services. If you just need help re-affixing your loose bracket, please contact our practice so we can schedule an appointment for Dr. Solomon to do so.
A wire is poking you
While it’s uncommon, sometimes the end of a metal archwire loosens and begins poking your cheeks. You can use some orthodontic wax to cover the offending wire and reduce discomfort until we can get you in for an appointment.
You can also try using a pencil eraser to gently bend down the poky end of the wire.
You lose a retainer or aligner tray
Losing retainers and aligners is all too common. We always recommend that you keep your appliance case when not in use, as they can easily get tossed in the trash if they are folded in a napkin.
If you do happen to lose your removable appliance, please contact our team straight away so we can keep your treatment on schedule. We offer in-house clear aligners to avoid long wait times when replacing lost aligners.
Reach out for assistance
Please reach out anytime you need help with an orthodontic emergency. The team at Smile Health Orthodontics is always here to assist you.
