What to Do When You Have an Orthodontic Emergency

Orthodontic emergencies always seem to happen at the worst possible moment — right before a big event, on a weekend, or the night before a trip. The good news is most of them are far more manageable than they feel in the moment.

A Poking or Loose Wire

This is the most common orthodontic ’emergency.’ If a wire is poking your cheek or gum, try gently pushing it back into place with a clean pencil eraser or Q-tip, then cover the end with orthodontic wax (or a small piece of cotton) until you can get in for a visit. Never cut a wire yourself.

A Broken Bracket

A loose bracket that’s still attached to the wire usually isn’t an emergency — it can typically wait until the next business day. Call your office to let them know, and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth in the meantime.

A Lost or Cracked Aligner

If you lose or crack an Invisalign tray, go back to wearing your previous tray (if you still have it) and call your office right away — going too long without any tray in place can allow teeth to shift out of your treatment plan.

When to Call Immediately

Significant pain, swelling, or an injury to your mouth or jaw warrants an immediate call, regardless of the time of day. For anything less urgent, call during office hours and we’ll get you scheduled quickly — same-day or next-day in almost every case.