EMERGENCY CARE – GENERAL

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur they need to be addressed.  As a general rule, you should call your orthodontic office when you experience severe pain, swelling or bruising or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with your orthodontist.  After using some of the suggestions on this website to alleviate your discomfort, it is important that you still call your orthodontist as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem and keep your progress on track.  Allowing your braces or appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan, extending the final date when your treatment will be completed.

If your teeth have received traumatic injury to the lips, teeth or gums (such as falling off a bike), please ensure to contact your Orthodontist in a timely manner.  In the event that any part of your tooth or teeth have been broken, it is important to contact your family dentist as well without delay.  If, as a result of this trauma, your teeth don’t fit together properly, your teeth have been moved by the injury, or there is damage to your jaw or jaw joint (TMJ), then seeing an oral or plastic surgeon may be required as well.  Depending on the severity of the injury, if you are in contact with the dentist on-call at the hospital, they will provide you with the proper direction as to whom to see at that time.