February 15, 2021
Your braces are designed to enhance your smile, thereby artistically crafting the healthiest orthodontic landscape possible.
But what if that orthodontic care is what has you frowning?
Should your braces or other dental appliances be causing more pain than is ordinary or expected, emergency orthodontic care may be in order. Here’s what you need to know:
What Is Emergency Orthodontics?
Emergency orthodontics constitutes immediate care to an orthodontic patient who is experiencing inordinate pain as a result of their braces and/or malfunctioning of their orthodontic appliances.
In some cases, emergency orthodontic care may be as simple as receiving guidance from an orthodontist over the phone. Otherwise, the patient may need to see their orthodontist during off-hours in order to achieve proper and immediate comfort.
To prevent such emergencies from happening, the best a patient, orthodontist, and/or parent can do is ensure the person receiving orthodontic care is educated regarding how best to protect and care for their braces.
How Do I Know If I/My Child Needs Emergency Orthodontics?
According to the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), emergency care might be required for a variety of issues.
For example, lesser complications may include a fallen ligature or even a patient’s inability to remove stuck food particles or other objects from between their teeth and braces. As mentioned before, such issues might be resolved at home with the assistance of a professional over the phone.
Mouth sores or discomfort of the lips or cheeks may merit heightened attention depending on the cause.
Greater complications that require on-site orthodontic care, however, include:
- A protruding wire
- Loose brackets
- Broken wires or bands
- Facial or dental trauma resulting from injury
Who Can I Call for Emergency Orthodontics?
If you’re confronting facial trauma as the result of an injury or sports accident, you may first want to visit the ER depending on the severity of the trauma. Otherwise, if you’re experiencing any of the above issues, you should always call your trusted orthodontist first, such as with SouthShore Orthodontics!
“If any orthodontic emergency instances do occur for our patients we are always on call and always available to take care of them and make them feel comfortable,” SouthShore founder and lead orthodontist Matt Ahrens explained. “Anytime a patient is uncomfortable we need to do whatever it takes to get them comfortable.”
To learn more or schedule an appointment with our team, contact our office today by calling (813) 815-0080! We are proud to provide exceptional results in a welcoming environment for the whole family, and we’re committed to your comfort.