EMERGENCY CARE

Occasionally, some patients will experience an injury to the mouth during treatment. Dental emergencies while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances generally fall into two categories. Watch the video below explaining the different parts of braces.

Direct Injuries to the Mouth and Teeth
Following a direct injury to your mouth or teeth, whether undergoing orthodontic care or not, immediately ice the injured area and you should contact your regular dentist as soon as possible. Usually a radiograph (X-ray) of the involved tooth or teeth is needed to determine the extent of injury. If a tooth has been displaced, knocked out or fractured, it is best to contact your family dentist first since we may not have the necessary materials or anesthesia required to treat these injuries. If the appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust the appliances as soon as possible, depending upon the comfort level of the patient.

Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances
Sometimes, appliances might be broken or bent during treatment. If problems occur, such as loose bands, loose brackets, broken or poking wires, please call our office for an appointment during patient hours. It is not possible to handle emergencies on a walk in basis. We value our patient’s time and try our best to stay on schedule. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to troubleshoot the problem until our office can see you. Please check your Emergency Kit that was given to you when your braces were placed. Additional information is also available under the Patient Care Video Menu Tab showing you exactly how to take care of emergencies.

• A loose band or bracket may be left in place until seen in our office for replacement.
• A broken or poking wire may be bent in with a pencil eraser or cut with the clippers given to you in your initial Emergency Kit.
• Cover a tie wire irritating your mouth with bees wax or sugarless gum. Try to tuck it under the arch wire with a blunt object, pencil eraser, or Q-tip.
• 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, during patient hours, to schedule an appointment.

After-Clinic Hours
Patients in pain may contact our office after hours at 585-248-5100. Information is available regarding whom to contact for further assistance. In the event, no one is immediately available after 9 p.m., please contact the office the following morning or go to the nearest emergency room, if indicated.

Glossary
Please familiarize yourself with the terms below. Proper communication, when contacting our office will make it easier to fix your problem.

archwire
A wire engaged in orthodontic attachments, affixed to the crowns of two or more teeth and capable of causing or guiding tooth movement.

band (orthodontic)
A thin metal ring, usually stainless steel, which serves to secure orthodontic attachments to a tooth. The band, with orthodontic attachments welded or soldered to it, is closely adapted to fit the contours of the tooth and then cemented into place.

bracket
An orthodontic attachment that is secured to a tooth (either by bonding or banding) for the purpose of engaging an archwire. Brackets can be fabricated from metal, ceramic or plastic.

ceramic brackets
Crystalline, alumina, tooth-shade or clear synthetic sapphire brackets that are aesthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments.

crowding
Dental malalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth.

debanding
The removal of cemented orthodontic bands.

elastics (rubber bands)
Used to move teeth in prescribed directions (commonly connected to molar band and upper ball hook). Found in numerous colors for better appearance."

gingiva
The tissue that surrounds the teeth, consisting of a fibrous tissue that is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal covering.

headgear
Generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and anchorage.

heerbst appliance
Fixed or removable appliance designed comminly for overbite problems and more.

imaging
The process of acquiring representations of structures in either two or three dimensions.

lingual
Of or pertaining to the tongue. A term used to describe surfaces and directions toward the tongue.

lingual appliances
Orthodontic appliances fixed to the lingual surface of the teeth.

maxillary
Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. May be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures.

orthodontist
A dental specialist who has completed an advanced post-doctoral course, accredited by the American Dental Association, of at least two academic years in the special area of orthodontics.

orthognathic surgery
Surgery to alter relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic therapy.

overbite
Vertical overlapping of upper teeth over lower teeth, usually measured perpendicular to the occlusal plane.

radiograph
A permanent image, performed digitally in our office, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes called an X-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation.

retainer
Any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following corrective treatment.

retention
The passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction during which retaining appliances may be used.

straight wire appliance
A variation of the edgewise appliance in which brackets are angulated to minimize multiple archwire bends. Brackets and molar tubes have specific orientation in three planes of space.