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Orthodontic Emergencies

While it’s not likely that you’ll find yourself in need of emergency dental care when it comes to your braces or Invisalign treatment, it’s a good idea to have a resource for what to do if you become concerned. It’s normal to have some minor irritation or soreness with both braces and Invisalign treatments. Your teeth may be sore after your Sudbury orthodontist adjusts your braces or after you change to your next set of Invisalign aligners. Your braces may rub against your cheek when you first get them on. You can usually control these instances of discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication that Dr. D'Aloisio can recommend to you. However, if you think you may have an emergency, you should contact our nearest office right away. We are always here to help!

What Should I Do In A Real Dental Emergency?

You will want to take good care of your braces or aligners during treatment. For example, be sure that you wear an approved mouthguard if you plan to participate in any sports or activities that may result in trauma to your mouth. And be sure that you follow proper oral hygiene practices. When it comes to orthodontic treatment, there are a few true orthodontic (or dental) emergencies that require immediate action. They include:

  • Trauma or injury to the teeth, face or mouth
  • Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth or face
  • Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas

If you or your child are experiencing any of these, please go to the emergency room, if you believed that is the best option. Or, contact one of our three conveniently located orthodontic offices in Sudbury, Parry Sound, and Espanola. Our Ontario area patients know that we are here for them whenever needed and we can determine the best course of action to take.

Common Emergencies

Irritation Of Lips And Cheeks

Irritation of lips and cheeks from braces rubbing tends to occur when the braces are first placed.

Relief Wax is available and can provide comfort while you get used to your braces.

To apply the wax, pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a pea.

After the wax is squeezed into a small disc and then pushed onto the brace where the irritation is occurring.

Finally, the wax is pushed to cover the top and the bottom of the brace.

Typically, the wax is used when eating and it is not unusual for the wax to fall of and be eaten. There should be no concerns about eating the wax as no medications are present.

Ligatures Come Off The Brace While Eating Sticky Foods

Small round donut shaped elastic ligatures are used to keep the wire and brace together (in the following image, they are light blue). If sticky foods are eaten, they can partially or completely come off the brace.

Using small tweezers, they can be put
back around the brace.

Brace Is Knocked During Sport Or While Eating A Hard Food

If a brace is knocked during sport or while eating a hard food, the attachment to the tooth will fail. This is often first noticed when brushing and the brace appears off of center on the tooth.

A visit to the orthodontic specialist is necessary to repair this type of problem. Occasionally, the brace is rotated on the wire and sticks out into the lip.

Again tweezers may be used to correct this problem. First slide the brace so that it is in between two teeth. Then push the brace around and back up against the tooth.

Protruding Wire

If a wire is protruding out the end of the last brace or if a thin wire is coming off the braces and irritating your lips and cheeks, a small key chain nail clipper can be helpful.

Use the clipper to cut the wire.

It may be helpful to use a folded Kleenex  to trap the piece of wire.

Please Submit Your Concern

While actual emergencies are rare, our goal at Sudbury Orthodontics is to make orthodontic treatment with your braces or Invisalign as comfortable as possible. If you need additional advice, our orthodontist and staff are happy to speak with you so don't hesitate to call us at our nearest orthodontist office listed below or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you care for your orthodontic appliances and assisting you with challenges or emergencies you may have with orthodontic treatment along the way.