Orthodontic assistant providing treatment to a child patient seated in an orthodontic chair, Dr. W. Gray Grieve Orthodontics, Eugene, OR

Orthodontist 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.

Emergencies Related to Orthodontic Appliances

Sometimes, appliances might be broken or bent during your orthodontic care. If there are any disturbances, such as loose bands, loose brackets, broken or poking wires, please call our office for an appointment during patient hours. For your convenience and the convenience of scheduled patients, it is not possible to handle emergencies on a walk-in basis. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until our office can see you.

  • If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with beeswax or tuck it under the archwire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
  • A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call W. Gray Grieve Orthodontics, during patient hours, when you notice a loose band or bracket. We will schedule you to reattach the loose appliance, if indicated.
  • A broken or poking archwire can often be bent in with a pencil eraser or cut with nail clippers. Call our office, during patient hours, if you do not feel the problem has been resolved properly.
  • Watch the video below that explains how to handle an orthodontic emergency.

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, an x-ray of the involved tooth or teeth is needed to determine the extent of the 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, after you have seen your general dentist, depending upon the comfort level of the patient.

After Office Hours

If an orthodontic emergency arises where the patient is in pain after hours, please contact our office.  Information is available regarding who to contact for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Orthodontic emergencies can be stressful, but many common issues can be managed safely until you can visit our office. Below are answers to common questions about loose brackets, poking wires, appliance problems, mouth injuries, after-hours care, and when to contact W. Gray Grieve Orthodontics for help.

If a wire is irritating your cheek or gums, try covering it with orthodontic wax or gently tucking it under the archwire with a pencil eraser or Q-tip. If the irritation continues, call our office during patient hours so we can schedule a time to adjust it.

A loose bracket or band is usually not an immediate emergency, but it should still be repaired as soon as possible. Leave it in place if it is still attached to the wire, and call W. Gray Grieve Orthodontics during patient hours to schedule an appointment.

For the convenience of all scheduled patients, orthodontic emergencies are not handled on a walk-in basis. Please call our office first so we can determine the best next step and schedule the appropriate appointment.

A broken or poking archwire can sometimes be gently moved back into place with a pencil eraser. If needed, it may be carefully trimmed with nail clippers. If you are unable to resolve the issue comfortably, contact our office during patient hours.

If a tooth has been displaced, knocked out, fractured, or seriously injured, contact your general dentist first. They can take X-rays and provide urgent dental care. After that, our office can adjust or replace any orthodontic appliances that were damaged.