What to do if you have an Orthodontic Emergency?
Most orthodontic concerns can wait until the office opens to be seen. Please read the guide below to help manage and ease any concerns you may be experiencing. Often, you will find that most issues can be resolved with a simple at home solution to hold you over until the office re-opens. Most issues can even wait and simply be addressed at the next appointment without any concern to treatment progress.
We are available Monday through Friday. However, in case of an emergency you can always reach us after hours or weekends. If you are still in need of assistance after hours, please call the office phone number at 949-364-6633 and you will be instructed on how to reach Dr. Corpodian.
Common Concerns and Instructions on how to Resolve Them:
Soreness of Teeth and Gums:
Soreness of the teeth is completely normal. Sometimes this soreness can radiate to the gums and even the jaws. It is important to distinguish between tooth soreness and pain. It is very common that 6 hours after an adjustment there is varying levels of tooth soreness. This will peak around 24 hours and can last several days. Each day the soreness should lessen. As long as you do not have an issue with Acetaminophen, you can take it as needed for discomfort.
Poking Wire:
This is very common because as teeth straighten out, the excess wire in between the brackets starts to extend out the back braces. This means your teeth are straightening! But it can be a nuisance, which is why we provide you with wax. Simple apply wax to the end of the poking wire until your next appointment. In the beginning, wires are very soft and flexible to help move very crooked teeth. Because they are so flexible they may move and depending on your diet, can be pulled out of a bracket. If this happens you can use an eraser on the back of a pencil or a cotton swap to put it under the bracket. Then, grab your handy wax, use some cotton rolls to dry the bracket and place some wax on the wire and bracket to hold it into place. This will help prevent any pain or discomfort until you can see us at the office to adjust the wire.
Loose or Broken Bracket:
A fairly common issue is a loose or broken bracket. A broken bracket is not an orthodontic emergency but should be fixed at the earliest convenience. A broken bracket may move on the wire. If you have a loose or broken bracket on the wire, try to gently move it back into place with clean fingers or a cotton swab. If this is not possible, use orthodontic wax to cover the broken part to prevent it from poking or rubbing against your cheeks, lips or tongue. As long as there is no pain, please call our office Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment to get the broken bracket replaced. If you already have an appointment soon, please let us know so that we can extend the time and make arrangement to repair the bracket. If a bracket has come off, save it if possible and bring it with you to next your appointment.
Broken Color Tie or Metal Tie:
Ties are how we engage the wires and move the teeth. Sometimes they loosen and may fall off. If they do, it is not an emergency and we will replace them at the next visit. If a metal tie becomes loose or poking, grab your handy dandy wax, roll it in a little ball and place it on the bracket to protect your lips until you can be seen at the office.
Lost or Broken Retainer:
If you lost your retainer or your retainer is broken, you will want to get it replaced as soon as possible. Please call our office Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment. Please be advised that tooth movement varies from person to person and depends on the length of time you have been in retainers. A broken retainer should be replaced as soon as possible. Please bring your retainer with you to the appointment.
Loose Appliance or Expander:
If your appliance is loose or has fallen out, please call our office to schedule an appointment for repair. If it is still in the mouth, avoid any hard sticky foods. If it has fallen out, please be sure to bring your appliance with you to the appointment.
Injury During Orthodontic Treatment:
If you experience a traumatic injury involving a lip laceration, a loose or broken tooth, or if you need stitches, you will need to contact your family dentist for treatment. If you injured your jaw or notice that your teeth have been moved by the injury, you may also need to be seen by an oral surgeon. In severe cases you may need to visit the emergency room for treatment. If you experience a traumatic injury please call our office and we can assist in referring you to a dentist or oral surgeon for treatment.
Lost or Broken Clear Aligner:
Please email our office info@myocortho.com which number aligner that was lost or broken. If you have been wearing the aligner for less than 4 days, please wear the previous aligner to hold the teeth in place until you can pick up the aligner you lost. In this case we will order you new aligners. However, if you have been wearing the aligner for at least 4 days, you can go the next aligner in treatment. Dr. C recommends wearing this aligner for at least 2 weeks before going forward to allow the teeth time to move.
Attachments for Clear Aligners:
If an attachment has broken or fallen off, it is not an emergency and simply notify our office, and we can adjust your appointment to give us time to put it back on.
Separators have Fallen Out:
Separators are placed to make space between teeth. Sometimes, as space is created, they do fall out. If they fall out, you can call our office and schedule an appointment a few days before your appliance appointment to have the separators placed back in. If they fall out within 3 days of your appointment, this means there is enough space and we will not need to replace them so there is no need to come in until your scheduled appointment.
