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Dental emergencies while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances fall into two categories: 1) Direct injuries to the mouth or teeth or 2) Emergencies to orthodontic appliances.
Direct injuries to the mouth or teeth:
Following a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether undergoing orthodontic care or not, you should be seen by your regular dentist as soon as possible. Usually a radiograph of the involved tooth, or teeth, is needed to ascertain the extent of injury. If a tooth has been knocked out, severely displaced or fractured, it is best to contact your family dentist first, since we may not have the necessary materials needed to treat these injuries. If the orthodontic appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust them as soon as possible.
Please call our office immediately after seeing your family dentist. If you are unable to reach your family dentist or an alternate emergency facility, call our office and we will assist you in locating someone to care for the injury. Please discuss potential emergency procedures with your family dentist at your next visit to their office.
Emergencies related to orthodontic appliances:
Broken or disturbed appliances are likely to occur from time to time during your orthodontic care. If there is any disturbance such as loose bands, broken or poking wires, call our office as soon as possible so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly. If you need assistance outside business hours, please call our office and our answering machine will give you instructions on what to do and whom to call.
In the interim, the following are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office:
- If a wire is poking you and irritating your mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax.
- A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call the office as soon as you notice a loose band or bracket so we can adjust your appointment. Failure to notify our office regarding a loose or broken appliance may make it necessary to reschedule your repair.
- A broken archwire, or one that is irritating the gum or cheek tissue, needs to be seen as soon as possible for replacement or adjustment.
- A removable appliance that is not fitting well is not to be worn until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to have the removable appliance adjusted.
After office hours:
Our office is open Monday through Thursday and emergency time is held open during each day so that we may schedule you as soon as possible during normal clinic hours. Please call early in the day so we may give you an appointment time that will keep your waiting to a minimum. Should you have an orthodontic emergency after office hours, please call our office and an emergency number will be available for you to call. Dr. Dormanen's home phone number is always made available to patients for emergencies out of regular office hours.
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