Emergency Info
Your Frisco, TX Orthodontic Specialists
At Corbridge Orthodontics, we are committed to providing our patients with only the best in orthodontic care, and part of being the best is being there for you when you need us the most, such as when you have an orthodontic emergency. Emergencies can be scary, putting you in a panic and leaving the health of your smile at risk, but when you choose us, you’ll never have to face that situation alone. We offer emergency assistance around the clock, so you can anytime you think you’re experiencing an orthodontic emergency and you’ll be connected with one of our doctors or staff who will be able to walk you through the situation and get you scheduled for an emergency appointment if necessary.
To make sure that an orthodontic emergency never catches you off guard and you’re left without a clue of what to do first, our team has put together this helpful guide with all the information you need to know about orthodontic emergencies, from identifying a major emergency or minor issue, and what you should do to care for your smile until your appointment.
What Is An Orthodontic Emergency?
While there are many situations during orthodontic treatment that can shocking or uncomfortable, there are very few situations that actually classify as an orthodontic emergency, and overall, they are extremely rare. Typically, an emergency consists of a case of extreme pain or trauma that requires immediate attention, and the most important thing for someone to do if they find themselves in that situation is to seek help as soon as possible. By knowing how to identify an emergency, you could potentially give yourself, friends, or family a better chance at saving their smile and getting the care that’s needed immediately. Below you can find information about what situations classify as major orthodontic emergencies, and what is simply a minor issue that doesn’t require urgent attention.
Major Orthodontic Emergencies
There are three main types of orthodontic emergencies, all of which require immediate medical attention.
- Serious trauma or injury of the face, mouth, or teeth
- Infected or swollen gums, mouth, or face
- Severe pain in the gums, teeth, face, or mouth that persists and is not alleviated by over-the-counter pain medication.
If you experience any of the above emergency scenarios, It is recommended that you contact your dentist immediately to see if they are available for emergency treatment, since they are equipped to treat most dental and oral health problems, with access to a wider range of aesthetics and treatment methods compared to an orthodontist. However, if you cannot see either your dentist or orthodontist for your emergency, we recommend that you go to a local emergency room to get care as soon as possible.
Minor Issues
Most issues that patients experience during their orthodontic treatment are classified as minor issues since they don’t require urgent attention. In most cases, there are quick and easy, temporary fixes that will prevent your smile from being at risk or help relieve any pain that you may be experiencing in the meantime until your scheduled appointment. If you do experience any of the minor orthodontic issues listed below, you should still call us right away to make an appointment to get the problem solved. We request that when you call, you provide us as much information as possible about the issue you are having, so we can prepare everything necessary for treatment when you come into the office.
Loose Or Broken Appliances Or Braces
While most appliances like braces are made from very durable material like stainless steel, they are not indestructible, and when an appliance is broken, it stops working as it should to fix your smile. Loose or broken brackets are common and are typically caused by a patient eating hard or sticky food that dislodges the bracket from the tooth. If you have a loose bracket that is still attached, leave it where it is and put some orthodontic wax on it until your appointment. If a bracket comes off, do your best to find it and hold onto it, so you can then bring it in and it can be reattached by your orthodontist.
Bent Or Out Of Place Archwire
Just like broken or loose brackets, the archwire can easily become bent out of place when eating hard or sticky foods that put a great deal of force on the appliance. The most common thing that patients experience with an out of place archwire is that it will poke the back of the mouth or the cheek, causing irritation or pain. To alleviate any discomfort before your appointment, you can take a pencil eraser or Q-tip and attempt to push the archwire out of the way, or simply put a piece of dental wax over the sharp end. Alternatively, you could use a sterilized nail clipper to cut the end of the wire that is causing the irritation, but we recommended contact us to get instructions before you attempt it.
Painful Or Loose Teeth
When you first get your braces, your teeth now have a brand-new appliance that is putting a small amount of pressure to move them, which was never there before. As a result, your teeth are going to feel sore or uncomfortable while your teeth adjust to that pressure, and it’s common for it feel as if your teeth are loose. It’s actually nothing to worry about since the feeling is a sign that your braces are working exactly as they’re supposed to. If you could use some pain relief, over-the-counter medications work great, as well as rinsing your mouth with a simple mixture of warm water and salt.
Contact Us For Emergency Care!
If you ever find yourself faced with an orthodontic emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us right away and we’ll be able to assist you. Even for your minor issues, come to us with your questions and concerns and we’ll do our best to have you feeling back to normal as soon as possible. If you need to schedule an appointment at our Frisco, TX office, just reach out to us by phone to speak with one of our staff members, or fill out our online appointment request form. Just remember that when you need an orthodontic team that you can rely on to be there when you need us most, you don’t have to look any further than Corbridge Orthodontics!
