Orthodontist Emergency
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 our Johnson City orthodontist office.
(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! We offer a 24/7 emergency line, because your needs are our top priority.
For any emergency you experience, chances are good that we’ve dealt with a similar dental emergency. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jewett at your earliest availability, or give us a call on our emergency line. We want to prevent further damage to your mouth or appliance, and we want to relieve your discomfort as soon as possible.
How to Contact Us for Emergencies
What are orthodontic emergencies?
Any injury you incur to your mouth, teeth, or face during your orthodontic treatment can be an orthodontic emergency. Here are the most common orthodontic emergencies:
- Loose, broken, or dislodged braces bracket
- Soreness caused by poking brackets, wires, or metal pieces
- Tooth pain or loose teeth
- Broken or misplaced appliance(s)
Loose broken 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, that’s okay! You can call us on our emergency line, or leave a message on our office line, and we will schedule an appointment with you to visit Dr. Jewett as soon as possible. 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 replaced. These events do not always necessarily slow down your treatment!
Soreness caused by poking brackets
If you’re experiencing soreness due to poking brackets, wires, or other pieces, use orthodontic wax (also known as dental wax) to cover the sharp piece. The area must be dry for the wax to stick well, so try to blot the area before applying wax. The wax will provide a temporary solution to relieve any soreness until you’re able to visit us. We will give you a sufficient amount of wax at the start of your treatment, and if you run out, you can find it at any store that has a dental hygiene section! Or just ask us for more!
Tooth pain or loose teeth
Some minor tooth discomfort or tooth looseness/mobility 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. If necessary, an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Tylenol®, is preferred. This 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 or grinding your teeth. Feel free to call us, and we are happy to walk you through these issues if we can!
Broken or misplaced appliance
If an expander becomes unglued on one side, try to keep it in the mouth if it is not uncomfortable. 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 of your teeth that Dr. Jewett gave you at the end of your treatment, please bring this with you as well.
