In the case of an extreme emergency, where trauma to the face and mouth has occurred, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room or urgent care facility.

For direct injuries to the mouth and teeth, contact your dentist as soon as possible. Usually an x-ray of the involved tooth or teeth is needed to ascertain the extent of the injury. After seeing your family dentist, call our office immediately to repair any damaged appliances. If you are unable to reach your general dentist, call our office for assistance.

Office emergencies consist of broken wires or appliances or any unusual discomfort in the patient’s mouth.

Broken or loose appliances cannot do the orthodontic work they need to do. Delay in contacting us to make these adjustments or repairs will lengthen treatment time.

What to do in an Orthodontic Emergency:

LOOSE BAND OR BRACKET
If band or bracket is still attached to wire, leave in place. If uncomfortable, place wax on it. If it comes out completely, wrap brace or bracket in tissue.
LOOSE WIRE
Try to place wire back in place with tweezers. If that is not possible, clip wire with fingernail clippers behind last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If uncomfortable, place wax on it.
POKING WIRE
Try to push sticking wire down with a spoon or eraser. If not possible, place wax on it.
HEADGEAR DOES NOT FIT
Try to push sticking wire down with a spoon or eraser. If not possible, place wax on it.
LOOSE APPLIANCE
If appliance is sticking or poking, place wax on it.

 

If you feel you are unable to handle a problem on your own, please call us as soon as possible.

Detail Information

If a wire causes irritation, push the wire away from the area using the eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or a piece of sugarless gum, until you can see Dr. Thalanki for an adjustment.

If the main wire has come out of the tube or pipe on your back molar tooth, attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle nosed pliers or tweezers. If the wire is not sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is sticking you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small wire cutter or toenail clipper close to the back of the last brace. This is a last resort if professional help is unavailable.

In case a rubber spacer falls out, take two pieces of dental floss and insert them through the spacer. Pull on both pieces of floss to stretch the spacer then slide the spacer back and forth between the two teeth where it belongs. Once the bottom half of the spacer slips under the tight spot between the teeth, release and remove the floss and the spacer will fit back properly.

If a bracket becomes loose, it usually remains connected to the main wire by a little rubber colored ring. Eyebrow tweezers can be used to reposition the brace if it flips around the wire and becomes a source of irritation. Call our office and inform us of your situation.

If a piece of your braces breaks, save the piece and call our office to schedule a repair visit.

Remain calm if you swallow a piece of your appliance. This will usually go either into the stomach and pass out of the body in a bowel movement. However, if difficulty breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate medical attention. X-rays will be taken to determine the location of the swallowed piece.

If a retainer cracks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair.

Take aspirin, tylenol or ibuprofen (unless allergic) if your teeth are sore after a monthly visit. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of salt and warm water can also be soothing. If food becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a proxy brush to dislodge the food.