At Dr. W. Gray Grieve Orthodontics, we do our best to remain available for orthodontic emergencies. Please call our office if you think you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency. We don’t want you to feel like you’re on your own when it comes to your orthodontic treatment.
That being said, sometimes our patients run into problems or experience discomfort at a time when we can’t see them right away. We wanted to equip our orthodontic patients with some tricks and hacks that you can do at home, so you can ease discomfort and keep treatment on track until you are able to visit our office.
Invisalign Emergency #1: Sharp Aligners
Discomfort and irritation can occur on your gums and cheeks if your aligners have a slightly sharp or jagged piece of plastic or acrylic along the border. To fix minor sharp spots on your aligners, you can use a clean nail file.
Take the nail file and smooth over the sharp spot just a little — don’t get too carried away filing your aligners or you could distort their shape and make the aligners less effective. If you have developed a sore inside your mouth from your aligners, rinse the area with warm salt water to clean the sore and prevent it from getting worse.
Invisalign Emergency #2: Cracked Aligners
Minor cracks in your aligners are usually no big deal, and you should continue wearing them as prescribed. However, It is important to handle the aligner carefully so the crack doesn’t get worse. Gently remove the cracked aligner(s) from the opposite side of the crack.
If your aligner suffers a full crack and becomes useless or unwearable, please call our office. Dr. W. Gray Grieve or Dr. Surya Joseph will consult with you and decide the next steps.
Invisalign Emergency #3: Broken Attachments/Buttons
In some cases, the attachments on your teeth can break or fall off. These attachments work like handlebars, helping the aligners move your teeth. This typically doesn’t make for an orthodontic emergency, and you should keep wearing your aligners. We can fix the broken attachment at your next appointment.
Invisalign Emergency #4: Stained Aligners
Again, not exactly an emergency, but stained aligners can present cosmetic issues and unwanted discoloration in your mouth. If your aligners are stained, it will look like your teeth are stained.
To avoid stained aligners, take out your trays when eating or drinking anything that could stain your teeth and aligners, such as:
- Coffee
- Wine
- Curry & other colorful spices
Rinse your mouth and/or brush your teeth before putting your aligners back on. You can also use a retainer cleaner (M3 makes a good one) to clean and disinfect your aligners.
Invisalign Emergency #5: Running Out of Aligners
Reach out to our office if you’re running out of trays or aligners. We may be able to send you the next phase to keep your treatment moving. Each case is different, so please give us a call if you have any questions or experience any issues with your aligners. We’re here to help!
