Emergencies
Serious orthodontic emergencies are quite rare. However, problems, such as lost or damaged appliances, do occur. Please contact us immediately if any such problem or emergency arises. If you are in pain due to a broken appliance after office hours, please contact:
Dr. Peter Gold, at home,
416-927-1796,
or
The Dental Emergency Service,
416-485-7121.
A Real Orthodontic Emergency – When to Call 911
Call 911 immediately if the following occur:
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A serious face or mouth injury, or
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A piece of the braces or of the appliance is inhaled or interferes with breathing.
These emergencies are extremely rare, but must be treated as soon as they occur.
If your appliance is lost or damaged please contact the office as soon as possible. We will attempt to schedule an emergency appointment for you. Failing to report a broken or lost appliance could delay treatment and add to costs. Please bring your broken appliance in with you.
A Bracket Comes Loose
Brackets are attached to teeth with a special adhesive. Excess pressure from chewing or a sports injury may cause the bracket to loosen from the tooth. This is often noticed when the bracket moves during brushing or appears off centre on the tooth
Occasionally, the bracket is rotated on the wire and sticks out into the lip. If it is causing irritation, tweezers may be used to correct this problem. First slide the bracket so that it is in between two teeth. Then rotate it back around so the proper side is facing the tooth, and slide it back over the tooth if possible.
Call the office so we can have you in to re-bond the bracket and keep your treatment on course. If the bracket has come off the wire, please bring it along with you.
A Damaged Appliance is Causing Pain
If you are in pain due to a broken appliance after office hours, please contact Dr. Peter Gold at home, 416-927-1796, or the dental emergency service at 416-485-7121.
If a broken wire is poking the inside of your mouth, you may be able to bend it out of the way with pliers, or cut off the end with a small pair of nail clippers. It may be helpful to use a folded Kleenex to trap the piece of wire.
A Ligature Comes off the Braces
On some type of braces, small round donut shaped elastic ligatures are used to keep the wire and brace together. If sticky foods are eaten, the ligatures can partially or completely come off the brace. Using small tweezers, the ligature can sometimes be put back around the brace.
Irritation of the Lips or Cheeks
Irritation of lips and cheeks from braces rubbing tends to occur when the braces are first placed, but may also worsen as the teeth move to new positions. Use the wax we gave you to help make the braces more comfortable.
To apply the wax, pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a pea. Push it onto the braces where the irritation is occurring. It helps to dry the area before applying the wax. The wax may be accidentally swallowed, but it is harmless.
If you see you are about to run out of wax, call the office and we will mail some to you. It is also available at some pharmacies.
Sore Teeth
It is common for your teeth to feel sore for the first few days after having your braces placed or adjusted. Chewing may be difficult. A soft diet is helpful, as is taking Advil or Tylenol as needed. If you are in a lot of pain, or if the pain persists beyond 3 or 4 days, please contact us.
More information
More details on dental emergencies, and some helpful illustrations, can be found on the Canadian Association of Orthodontists’ website. http://cao-aco.org/ORTHODONTICINFO/emergencies.asp.
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