Emergency Orthodontist Amityville

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

1. Call Our Office: The first step you should always take if you’re experiencing an orthodontic emergency in Amityville is to call our office. Our team will provide you with first aid guidance over the phone to prevent any additional damage from occurring and schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible. In many cases, we’re able to see patients the same day they call.
2. Come in for an Examination: Once you arrive at our office during your appointment time, we’ll get to work examining your orthodontic appliance, teeth, and gums. Dr. Justyna has a sharp eye, but, if necessary, we may take some diagnostic images to help us see what’s happening below the surface of your smile.
3. Get Treated: Once Dr. Justyna has made a diagnosis, our team will walk you through all of your treatment options, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with a detailed cost estimate. When you consent to moving forward, we’ll get to work quickly on restoring your orthodontic appliance. If your discomfort is a result of a cavity, infection, or other oral health problem, we may refer you to a general dentist to have it treated.

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Below, we’ve included some of the most common orthodontic emergencies we see so you have an idea of when to call us. Keep in mind that a damaged or non-functional orthodontic appliance can have a negative impact on your treatment, so it’s best to call us sooner rather than later.

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

If you’re concerned about the cost of treating an orthodontic emergency, know that our practice is incredibly insurance friendly and will file your claims to maximize your benefits. However, before we can provide you with a detailed cost estimate, we must first examine your mouth and determine the necessary treatment. At your appointment, we’ll walk you through each of your options, answer any questions you may have, and speak with you about your financing options.

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

Accidents happen, so you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself if a bracket comes loose or a wire snaps. You should, however, do what you can to minimize the chances of orthodontic emergencies like these from occurring. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some preventive measures we recommend incorporating into your routine:

Prioritize Your Progress Visits

Patients often overlook one of the easiest ways to prevent orthodontic emergencies in Amityville: prioritizing each and every progress visit. Not only do these appointments allow us to monitor the movement of your teeth, but they also give us an opportunity to examine the condition of your braces. If we see anything out of place, we can correct it before you leave.

Important reminder: Don’t hesitate to let Dr. Justyna know if you’re experiencing any major pain after your check-up appointments or several days after your braces are applied.

Take Good Care of Your Smile

Remember, orthodontic emergencies aren’t limited to broken brackets, wires, and aligners; tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems will bring your treatment plan to a temporary stop as well. That’s why it’s so important to practice good dental hygiene. That starts with brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and extends to flossing every night before bed. Make sure to use the proper instruments to clean between your brackets and wires, too!

Be Mindful of What You Eat

Since sticky foods can dislodge a wire and crunchy foods can break a bracket, it’s a good idea to avoid hard pretzels, taffy, peanut butter, and the like. Instead, focus on eating well-balanced meals that are filled with foods that are packed with nutrients and softer in consistency, like oatmeal.

Tip: Drink lots of water throughout the day! This will help prevent dry mouth and soft tissue irritation while also ensuring that you stay hydrated.

Wear a Protective Mouthguard

Whether you play a contact sport or you prefer a solo one, like ice skating, it’s important that you wear a protective mouthguard. If you don’t have one already, get in touch with us! We can have a custom one made that fits over your teeth and your braces! We also recommend wearing one if you grind or clench your teeth at night to prevent chips, cracks, and other dental damage.

Break Bad Habits

Biting your nails, chewing on ice cubes, and using your teeth to remove plastic packaging might not seem like a big deal, but habits like these dramatically increase the chances of a bracket or wire breaking. So, if you want to reduce your risk of sustaining a serious orthodontic emergency and falling off-track with your treatment plan, you need to break bad habits like these.