Emergency Orthodontist Gilbert

Quickly Addressing Your Smile’s Urgent Needs

Woman sitting on couch while talking on phone with emergency orthodontist in Gilbert

Life can seem to come to a screeching halt when there’s something wrong with your orthodontic treatment, and it’s normal to feel immediately concerned and worried. Rest assured, no matter what has occurred, Dr. Larson and our team at Larson Family Orthodontics will be able to quickly and effectively handle the situation and ensure that your treatment remains right on track. If something’s amiss with your braces, aligners, or orthodontic appliance, don’t hesitate to contact our Gilbert emergency orthodontist at once for assistance!

Why Choose Larson Family Orthodontics for Orthodontic Emergencies?

  • Advanced Dental Technology That Streamlines Care
  • Instant Communication with Grin Scope
  • Multiple Dental Insurance Plans Accepted

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

Woman in dental treatment chair explaining her orthodontic emergency to a team member
  • Call Us at Once or Use the Grin Scope App! – If you’ve sustained an orthodontic emergency, the best thing you can do is get in touch with our team. From there, we’ll be able to assess the situation over the phone and provide immediate assistance before you come in. Patients can also take a scan with Grin Scope and then text Dr. Larson the scan through the app! He will review what you send and then schedule an appointment ASAP if needed. This allows patients to wait until they have the proper information instead of rushing to the practice right away.
  • Attend Your Appointment – If necessary, we’ll let you know if you need to come to our office for same-day care. However, in many cases, the root of the issue can be addressed at your next orthodontic check-in.
  • Receive Quick and Urgent Care – We emphasize providing quick and effective treatment when it comes to orthodontic emergencies, so rest assured that once you’re here, we'll quickly get you out of pain and remedy your situation. We’ll replace broken or lost parts as needed, and if there’s an oral health issue present, we’ll be sure you know where and how to get it resolved.

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

No matter the nature of your orthodontic emergency, it’s important to keep in mind that all braces-related injuries require a visit to your orthodontist—these appliances aren’t something that you’re going to be able to repair on your own! Not to mention, neglecting to seek care when the issue first arises might result in further damage, which will only set back your treatment. That said, here are some actions you can take at home to protect your smile while you’re waiting to attend your appointment:

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Orthodontic Care

Patient and dentist looking at X-ray

If you ever run into an urgent problem with your braces or other aspects of your orthodontic care, our Gilbert, AZ, team is ready to assist you. However, we understand that you might have some concerns about receiving treatment. For example, you may want to know how much it is going to cost! There are multiple factors that can affect the price of your emergency orthodontic care. Continue reading below to learn more.

Every Orthodontic Emergency Is Different

An emergency orthodontic exam is usually quite affordable. When you come in, Dr. Larson and our team will assess the situation and learn about your symptoms before we make any specific recommendations.

The cost of your actual treatment can vary depending on how the issue must be addressed. Some problems are relatively simple and can be corrected at little cost, whereas others — such as extensive damage to an orthodontic appliance — can incur greater expenses. In certain cases, it is necessary for us to send patients to other specialists or their general dentist, which can also affect the overall cost associated with the situation.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

Whether or not your dental insurance will help you depends heavily on the details of your situation and the stipulations of your coverage. If you have already reached your plan’s lifetime orthodontic maximum, it may not provide any assistance for your emergency. However, if the situation crosses the line into a general dental emergency, some coverage may be available. Our team can help you figure out how your benefits may apply.

Also, keep in mind that we do not want you to be overly stressed about paying for your emergency orthodontic care. If you have concerns about the cost of your treatment, let us know, and we will do whatever we can to accommodate your budget.

Taking Care of Your Braces and Your Teeth Can Save You Money

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of emergency orthodontics is to be proactive about caring for your braces and your oral health. For example, you should seek help at the first sign of a problem rather than waiting. Unnecessary delays are only likely to allow the problem to worsen — and become more expensive to treat.

You can also do your best to prevent emergencies from occurring in the first place. Sticking to a good oral hygiene routine, adhering to the dietary restrictions that come with your treatment, and wearing appropriate protective gear during sports are all important.

Do not let concerns about cost hold you back from receiving necessary treatment! Call our office today to discover how we can get your orthodontic journey and your oral health back on track.

Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

Patient with braces smiling during exam

When you need us – whether it’s for a broken bracket or a loose wire – you can have peace of mind knowing our Gilbert team is just a phone call away. That said, we want to share all of our knowledge, recommendations, and tips on preventing orthodontic emergencies with the goal of you having an obstacle-free journey to a straighter smile. With this in mind, read on!

Avoid Crunchy and Sticky Foods

During your orthodontic treatment, it’s important to be selective about what you eat, especially if you have traditional braces. After all, the metal brackets and wires are durable, but they aren’t unbreakable. So, it’s important that you do your best to avoid extremely crunchy and sticky foods, including hard pretzels, peanut brittle, lollipops, and taffy. Instead, fill your plate with softer, more nutrient-dense foods, like cooked carrots, plain yogurt, and bananas.

Wear a Mouthguard During Sports

Even if you skateboard, surf, run, or ride your bike, there’s a chance that you could accidentally fall and sustain a serious dental emergency. That’s why we encourage our patients to wear a mouthguard during both contact and non-contact sports! If you don’t have one (or the one you were using doesn’t fit over your braces), don’t hesitate to let us know. We can have a custom one made for you to prevent substantial dental damage as well as significant treatment plan delays.

Commit to Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Remember, broken braces aren’t the only thing that will bring your treatment plan to an immediate stop; the development of tooth decay, gum disease, or another serious oral health problem will too. For this reason, we strongly recommend maintaining a solid at-home oral hygiene regimen, starting with brushing your teeth for two full minutes every morning and extending to flossing your teeth every night before bed.

Prioritize Your Check-In Visits

Throughout your teeth-straightening journey, you’ll come to our office so we can make sure you’re on-track with your treatment plan (or figure out how to get you back on-track if something unexpected happens). These routine appointments also ensure we can periodically check your braces to reduce your risk of experiencing an orthodontic emergency.

Break Any Existing Bad Habits

Smoking is certainly a bad dental habit you should break, but it isn’t the only one that can negatively impact your oral health. We encourage our patients not to chew on ice cubes, not to fill up on sugary drinks and snacks, not to bite their nails, and not to use their teeth as tools to open things. Habits like these may seem harmless, but they actually dramatically increase your risk of experiencing a dental or orthodontic emergency.

More to Explore

Orthodontics for All Ages Dental Monitoring with Grin LightForce Custom Braces InBrace Lingual Braces Clear Aligners Phase 1 Early Orthodontics Dentofacial Orthopedics Orthodontic Appliances Pricing View Our Services

Toothache

Is a toothache an emergency? A mild toothache isn’t always an emergency, but severe or persistent pain could indicate a serious issue. Tooth pain in orthodontic treatment is common due to the process your teeth go through to shift into position. However, if it lasts more than a few days or is accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty chewing, contact our Gilbert office immediately. It could be a sign of an infection or another dental problem that needs attention.

How you should handle toothaches: If the pain in your tooth doesn’t subside after a few days, reach out to us. We’ll schedule an emergency exam with you to find the root of the problem and go over your options. If the need arises, we can also refer you to a trusted specialist to ensure you get the right care. In the meantime, take some over-the-counter pain relievers, rinse your mouth with salt water, and apply ice packs to your cheek to ease discomfort. Flossing is also recommended to remove debris that could be the culprit.

Loose Bracket or Wire

Is a loose bracket or wire an emergency? A loose bracket or wire isn’t generally an emergency, but it should be fixed as soon as possible to prevent further issues. If left untreated, it can cause irritation in your mouth and delay the progression of your treatment.

How you should handle a loose bracket or wire: If the bracket is still somewhat attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with orthodontic wax to prevent irritation. However, if the bracket has completely detached, keep it in a safe place and bring it to your next appointment. In most cases, we can simply reattach the bracket and bring your treatment back into alignment.

Broken Bracket or Wire

Is a broken bracket or wire an emergency? A broken bracket or wire isn’t dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable and negatively affect your treatment. Therefore, it should be fixed as soon as possible to avoid delaying your results or causing discomfort.

How you should handle a broken bracket or wire: First, it’s never a good idea to try to fix a broken orthodontic appliance on your own. As soon as you feel the break, let us know so we can schedule an appointment. While you’re waiting, if the wire is poking your cheek, use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp points or surfaces. If there are any pieces of the appliance like brackets that have broken off, put them in a small container and bring them with you to your appointment.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency? A protruding wire can cause irritation or small cuts inside your mouth, but it’s not an urgent emergency. However, it should be addressed quickly to avoid further discomfort.

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire: First, use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp end and prevent irritation. If the wire is particularly irritating or painful, you can try to carefully push it back into place with a cotton swab or clean eraser. However, you should never try to cut or bend the wire yourself. If you need help, call our team and we’ll schedule an appointment to take care of you.

Mouth Sores or Irritation

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency? Mouth sores caused by braces are fairly common and not typically considered an emergency. In general, smaller sores and irritation should disappear after a few days with a bit of care. However, if sores persist for more than a week or become infected, they need to be assessed and treated as soon as possible.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation: First, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to kill bacteria that could cause infection. Next, apply orthodontic wax to brackets or wires that are causing irritation. Finally, use over-the-counter pain relievers or numbing gels as needed to keep the irritation at bay. If your sores worsen, call our Gilbert office for an appointment. We’ll check your mouth and find an appropriate treatment to help you find relief.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency? A broken ligature (the small rubber band holding the wire to the bracket) isn’t always an emergency, but it can affect the efficiency of your braces. This is especially true if you have multiple breaks. In this case, it’s best to call us right away as there might be some underlying issue causing the band to snap.

How you should handle a broken ligature: If a rubber ligature simply slips off the bracket, you can try to reposition it using sterile tweezers. However, if you can’t seem to get it back into place, or it breaks completely, let us know. Until you make it into your appointment, cover any sharp edges with orthodontic wax or sugarless gum.

h3>Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency? Minor cuts caused by braces aren’t usually emergencies, but deep or persistent bleeding caused by a vehicular accident or a blow to the face requires immediate attention. In most cases, we can help suture the wounds in your mouth. However, if bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure, go to the nearest emergency room for help.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Then, apply pressure with a clean gauze or paper towel to stop the bleeding. If you have some handy, use orthodontic wax to keep brackets or wires from irritating your wounds. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area to reduce swelling. Generic pain medication can also help keep the sting away until you can see us.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency? As your teeth begin to move, you’ll notice a few changes, including that food can easily get stuck between them. The good news is that – with the right steps – you can usually remove it at home pretty quickly. Plus, if you have any trouble, you can always give us a call. We’re here to help make your entire orthodontic treatment as smooth and seamless as possible.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth First, dissolve some salt in warm water and rinse the mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds or so. This should dislodge the debris or, at the very least, alleviate some inflammation in your gums. Then, grab your floss of choice and use it to gently clean between your teeth.

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer  

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency? Patients often assume that orthodontic emergencies come with pain or discomfort. While that’s sometimes the case, a broken/lost aligner or retainer is considered an orthodontic emergency because – without a same-day appointment – the alignment of your teeth could be negatively impacted.

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer If you’ve lost yours, then try retracing your steps, looking in unexpected places in the process, like the pockets of the pants you were wearing earlier. If you can’t find them, then call us ASAP. We recommend doing the same if your aligner or retainer gets damaged so that we can quickly begin the process of having it repaired or replaced.

Loose Teeth  

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency? Typically, a loose adult tooth immediately warrants an emergency visit. However, your teeth are expected to move during orthodontic treatment. So, unless it feels like it’s on the brink of falling out, you don’t need to panic. With that said, you’re always welcome to call our Gilbert dental team if you have any questions or want to double-check if a symptom you’re experiencing is normal.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth As we mentioned above, it’s normal for your teeth to feel slightly loose from time to time, particularly in the hours following an adjustment appointment or the transition to a new set of aligners. During that time, we strongly recommend eating only soft foods, like plain yogurt and oatmeal. It’s also important that you don’t wiggle your teeth with your finger or do anything else that could cause them to loosen further, like chewing on ice.