Orthodontic Emergencies
There are very few true orthodontic emergencies, but when something breaks, pokes, or comes loose, we’re here to help. Call your Spark office [/contact/] as soon as possible if you or your child damages or loosens braces or an appliance, and please don’t come directly to the office. Calling first lets the team get you on the schedule and tell you exactly what to do in the meantime. Most minor problems can be made comfortable at home until your repair appointment.
Surprisingly, most orthodontic problems can be remedied at home after calling our office. While you wait for your appointment, these guidelines will help you resolve minor problems. Please know that even if you alleviate the pain caused by your broken appliance, you still need a repair appointment. A few of the most frequent orthodontic emergencies are:
Sooner or later, most kids lose a separator during treatment. Don’t panic. Call our office and we’ll let you know whether it needs to be replaced before your next appointment.
If a bracket or band comes loose, call us right away so we can schedule a re-fit. If the loose piece is attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with orthodontic wax if it’s irritating the cheek. Don’t pull it off, and don’t try to repair it at home.
If a wire is poking, try moving it gently away from the sore spot with a cotton swab or a clean pencil eraser. If it won’t budge, cover the end with a small piece of orthodontic wax or a bit of cotton and call the office. We’ll get you in for a repair, and we can walk you through additional relief options over the phone.
Some soreness is normal during the first week with braces and after routine adjustments. Acetaminophen or another non-aspirin pain reliever can help, and a warm washcloth or heating pad on the jaw eases soreness. If pain is severe or doesn’t improve after a few days, call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually no. Cover it with wax if it’s uncomfortable and call us during business hours. We’ll schedule a repair and tell you what to watch for in the meantime.
Almost never. Call your Spark office first for anything appliance-related. Go to the ER only for serious injuries to the face or jaw, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing.
Call your Spark office and follow the after-hours instructions on the recording. Wax, a soft diet, and a non-aspirin pain reliever will keep most problems comfortable until we can see you the next business day.
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