ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCY & REPAIR

Loose brackets, poking wires, broken elastics — Parks Orthodontics has you covered. Give us a call at (757)874-6655

It is very rare to have an orthodontic emergency. In fact, many problems can be remedied at home.  It’s normal to have some problems with your braces, but just be prepared, so that you will know how to handle the situation if it occurs.

In the case of accidents involving the teeth, please call your family dentist or orthodontist immediately. Depending on the severity, please call 911.

For any of the below, please call to notify our office so that we can address your needs. Prompt repairs will help ensure that treatment stays on schedule.

Emergency

Some Common Orthodontic Emergency Instances & Solutions:

  • Loose Bracket – The bracket comes loose from the tooth (very common). It usually stays attached to the wire but tends to roll around or move some. This usually isn’t an orthodontic emergency, and can easily be re-bonded at your next appointment. Applying a small piece of orthodontic wax on the loose bracket can temporarily hold it attached to the tooth, and protect the mouth tissues from being irritated.

  • Wire poking – Sometimes the wire slides around to one side and can cause discomfort in the back part of the mouth and cheek. This seems to occur in the earlier stages of treatment when the teeth are beginning to move and the wire straightens out. However, it can happen anytime. Usually, the wire is clipped off or the wire slid back around into place with a simple adjustment. A poking wire is not generally an orthodontic emergency.

  • Appliance Loose/Off – Sometimes your dental appliances may come loose from the tooth. If only one part or side is loose, it often just moves up and down but can be re-cemented. Sometimes the appliance is damaged and needs repair or replacement.

  • Band Broken or Appliance Damaged – Orthodontic ligatures, bands or other attachments can become damaged and create an ulcer on the soft tissues of the cheek, lips or tongue.

  • Traumatic Injury – If the lips are traumatized into orthodontic hardware, they can become “stuck” in the braces. A gentile tug can free the lip. Otherwise, the dentist can free the tissue. Braces can actually protect the teeth in cases of major trauma, preventing teeth from being knocked out or more severely displaced.

Tips For Avoiding An Orthodontic Emergency

While some instances of an orthodontic emergency are unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to help prevent them, including:

The majority of orthodontic emergency situations involve foods you should avoid eating while wearing braces, such as crunchy, sticky, hard or chewy foods. Following our instructions on what foods to avoid while in treatment will help you avoid damage to your braces and unnecessary pain.

In order to ensure the best treatment outcome, it is important to follow our team’s instructions as closely as possible while wearing braces. When you first receive your treatment, our team will provide you with specific guidelines on how to take care of them and what to avoid during your time in treatment.Check out our frequently asked questions for helpful tips on how to take care of your braces.

When you first got your braces, Dr. Parks provided you with specific instructions for brushing and flossing your teeth while under orthodontic care. Diligently follow these care instructions and remember to continue seeing your regular dentist for cleaning at least every 6 months while in braces.

All patients should wear a mouthguard while playing sports. If you have braces and play a sport with any degree of contact, wearing a mouthguard will help to protect your mouth from injury if you were to get bumped by another player or a ball. It will also help to prevent damage to your braces or orthodontic appliance.