There are dozens of cases where emergency appointments are needed. In a case where the removable orthodontic
appliances are broken or lost, the brackets of fixed orthodontic appliances, or the patient’s oral mucosa is damaged, an emergency appointment should be scheduled through a phone call and the patient should visit immediately.
However, contact the orthodontic clinic to be sure of your emergency. In fact, there are a few cases that are considered to be an emergency in orthodontics with which you should be familiar including trauma or damage to the tooth or face, progressive gingival inflammation and redness and uncontrollable and progressive pain in the oral area.
In the case of the above problems, immediately schedule an emergency orthodontic appointment. In the orthodontics specialty clinic, the orthodontist will examine if there is a broken tooth and will immediately repair it in the same session. Damage to the fixed or removable orthodontic brackets is also examined and repaired during the same session.
How long does an orthodontic emergency visit last?
It takes around 20 to 30 min for the new brackets to be prepared after examination by the orthodontist. When you call the orthodontic office or clinic and request an emergency visit to check the brackets, an appointment at the same or the next one or two days will be scheduled for you to replace or repair the orthodontic brackets as soon as possible. Note that losing an orthodontic bracket is not always an emergency; in some cases you can wait until the next appointment.
If there is no pain or loss of an orthodontic wire is not problematic, you no longer need an emergency orthodontic appointment. Missing a section of the bracket is an orthodontic emergency. If part of the bracket is broken or detached, contact the orthodontic clinic and describe the situation. Then, schedule an orthodontic emergency appointment. If part of the bracket is removed, keep and provide it to your orthodontist in the next visit. Sometimes, the broken part is swallowed. In this case, eating a high fiber diet such as fruit and salad helps quick excretion of the swallowed part and prevents gastrointestinal problems.
Occasionally, the elastic band is swallowed which does not cause a particular problem if the patient is not allergic to elastic rubber bands. Swallowed bands get excreted during the next 2 to 3 days.
Orthodontic emergency appointment for pain and sensitivity
Sometimes, the patient calls because of mild pain in the mouth and requests an emergency appointment. Note that mild pain or redness is normal after orthodontics and gradually decreased. Emergency appointment is only needed when the patient experiences serious tooth damage or progressive sensitivity. Mild pain and sensitivity are not to be worrying issues in early stages of orthodontic treatment.
You can use an aqueous saline solution or warm compress to alleviate this pain and mild tenderness. Dissolve one to two tablespoons of salt in a glass of warm water; hold the solution in your mouth for a few minutes and discard. Warming up and keeping the area clean helps to relieve the pain. Mild toothache indicates movement and approaching of teeth to the regular ones.
Emergency post-orthodontic conditions rarely occur at Dr. Jamilian’s specialty clinic, and efforts are made to provide patients with a more comfortable way to have a pleasant experience during their orthodontic treatment.