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Emergency Orthodontist — Milton, MA

Effective Care in Times of Crisis

A woman smiling while her orthodontist in Milton examines her braces during orthodontic emergency

If you have traditional metal braces, clear aligners or are wearing another form of orthodontics, you’ll want to have an orthodontist in Milton whom you can trust to provide timely care, should you ever experience an emergency. From broken brackets and loose wires to intense pain or a lost piece of an appliance, these are common problems that are known to happen from time to time. Here at Milton Orthodontics, Dr. Saunders and his team are ready to jump into action should a situation arise. To learn more about what you can do to mitigate these problems at home while waiting to see our team, review the following information and contact us should you experience an orthodontic emergency.

Why Choose Milton Orthodontics for Emergency Orthodontic Care?

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

: a closeup of a smile with braces

  1. Call Our Office – The bottom line is that every orthodontic emergency is going to be different since everyone has a unique smile—however, there is one thing in common among them all, and that’s our team is only a phone call away! We’ll be able to assess the situation after you’ve explained things and provide you with some initial steps to take while you wait for your appointment, including rinsing your mouth with water and applying orthodontic wax. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used.
  2. Schedule An Appointment – If necessary, we’ll schedule you for a visit that very day, although sometimes the situation can wait until your next checkup.
  3. Get The Help You Need – Once seated, our priority becomes addressing any discomfort and getting to the bottom of what’s causing the issue. In some cases, a follow-up appointment may be necessary; we’re happy to get this set up for you!

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Orthodontic emergencies don’t always seem urgent, but it’s always best to contact us whenever you experience any type of issue or complication with your treatment—this is the only surefire way to prevent long-term issues with it! It’s also worth mentioning that many types of orthodontic emergencies can be handled over the phone, but some warrant professional assistance. Here’s a little more about some of the most common orthodontic emergencies that we see and how they’re typically handled:

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies  

a patient paying for emergency orthodontic treatment

Simply put, fear of expensive treatment should never keep you from getting the urgent care that your smile needs. However, since no two orthodontic emergencies are exactly the same, you’ll need to come to visit us in order for us to provide you with an estimated cost of treatment. Upon arrival, we can begin our emergency exam, determine the source of the problem, and give you an idea of what you’ll need to pay. Our practice is thrilled to accept various insurance plans and offer additional means of affording emergency care, such as affordable financing through LendingPoint .

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies 

a patient with braces using a dental flosser

Knowing you have a trusted orthodontist ready to help in your time of need is reassuring; however, it’s even better if you know how to prevent these common orthodontic emergencies in the first place. To do this, you’ll need to:

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Toothache  

Is a Toothache an Emergency? To effectively guide your teeth into a more aesthetically pleasing position, braces apply a good deal of pressure. Therefore, some tooth pain is normal during orthodontic treatment, especially after your braces get adjusted. However, mild to severe discomfort stemming from one tooth or a specific area of your mouth could be a result of decay, which needs to be treated right away. Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t hesitate to bring any tooth or oral pain to our Milton orthodontic team’s attention.

How You Should Handle Toothaches There are a few proactive measures you can take from home, including rinsing with warm saltwater, placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, and not eating anything crunchy. However, to get the long-lasting relief you need, you should prioritize scheduling an appointment with our team. That way, we can conduct an exam and intervene with the appropriate treatment if necessary. We can also provide personalized tips on how to prevent this from happening again in the future.

Loose Bracket or Wire  

Is a Loose Bracket or Wire an Emergency? Remember, pain isn’t the only indicator of an orthodontic emergency. If your bracket or wire has come loose, then it’s crucial that you call our Milton orthodontist ASAP to have your braces fixed. This way, they can intervene before this orthodontic emergency negatively impacts your treatment plan.

How You Should Handle a Loose Bracket or Wire Of course, the first step is calling us to schedule an appointment. Until then, we recommend using orthodontic wax to cover the loose bracket or wire (this will help prevent your gums, lips, and tongue from being cut). Note: if a portion of your braces has completely come off, then store it in a clean container and bring it with you to your appointment as well.

Broken Bracket or Wire  

Is a Broken Bracket or Wire an Emergency? Yes, a broken bracket or wire is an orthodontic emergency, and we recommend acting fast to prevent further damage, like a serious soft tissue injury. So, don’t wait – contact our team right away to schedule an appointment!

How You Should Handle a Broken Bracket or Wire When you call our office to inform us of your orthodontic emergency, we will schedule a time for you to come in for treatment and provide you with instructions on what to do in the meantime. That includes collecting the broken pieces of your braces, covering any sharp edges of your brackets and wires with dental wax, and taking an OTC pain reliever (if needed).

Poking Wire

Is a Poking or Protruding Wire an Emergency? This is considered an orthodontic emergency because there is a risk that the wire will cut the soft tissue in your mouth. Plus, broken braces can negatively impact the movement of your teeth, which we want to avoid as well.

How You Should Handle A Poking or Protruding Wire Sometimes, the wire can gently be guided back into position. Even if that’s the case for you, it’s important to cover the end of the wire with dental wax to protect your tongue, lips, and the soft tissue in your mouth.

Mouth Sores

Are Mouth Sores or Irritation an Emergency? Although mouth sores and soft tissue irritation can be quite uncomfortable, they are completely normal. The good news is that there are several ways you can alleviate and even prevent both of these from arising, which we will cover in the next section.

How You Should Handle Mouth Sores or Irritation If you have a mouth sore, then rinse with warm saltwater periodically, sip on clean, cool water throughout the day to stay hydrated, and avoid spicy, acidic, and sugary foods. We also recommend putting dental wax over any sharp edges of your braces to prevent soft tissue irritation entirely.

Broken Ligature

Is a Broken Ligature an Emergency? Although small, the rubber bands that hold your wire in place are crucial. So, if one of them snaps, it’s important that you contact our Milton office ASAP to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated orthodontists: Dr. Sherman or Dr. Saunders.

How You Should Handle a Broken Ligature The best thing to do is contact us to schedule an appointment within the next day or two. It’s also important to avoid doing anything that could damage your braces further, like eating something crunchy or chewing on ice cubes.

Soft Tissue Cuts

Is a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue an Emergency? It is if the bleeding is uncontrollable. If that’s the case, then you need to go to the ER or call 911 right away. If that’s not the case, then you’ll be happy to know that soft tissue cuts can usually be handled at home quite easily.

How You Should Handle a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue If the cut is small, then go to the sink and rinse your mouth with clean, cool water. Next, use a damp, clean washcloth or some gauze to apply pressure, stopping the bleeding in the process. Finally, use a cold compress to alleviate swelling and inflammation.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Broken or Lost Retainer

Loose Teeth

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