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Emergency Orthodontist — Southbridge, MA

Fast Orthodontic Care When You Need It Most

Pained girl needs to visit emergency orthodontist in Southbridge

Would you know what to do if you or a loved one experienced an orthodontic emergency? Maybe your child bit down too hard on something and snapped one of their braces wires, or maybe your teenager lost their Invisalign aligner. Maybe you’ve noticed that one of your braces brackets has been coming loose, or you’re worried about a developing toothache. Whatever the case, don’t hesitate to call Super Braces of Southbridge! We’re here to offer fast orthodontic care when you need it most, and our experienced team and emergency orthodontist in Southbridge, MA will be happy to walk you through your situation over the phone. Don’t wait to call us for your orthodontic emergency in Southbridge!

Why Choose Super Braces of Southbridge for Emergency Orthodontic Care?

  • We See Emergency Patients As Quickly As Possible
  • Compassionate Orthodontist with Over a Decade of Experience
  • Range of Treatments That Can Address Your Emergency

How We Treat Orthodontic Emergencies

Girl with broken braces in Southbridge visiting her orthodontist
  • First, we’ll assess your situation over the phone. Call us as soon as you can in an orthodontic emergency. One of our experienced team members will listen to your description of the problem and guide you through what to do next to handle your emergency.
  • Then, we’ll schedule your appointment. If your emergency can be successfully addressed over the phone, we’ll likely schedule you for a checkup right away to ensure your treatment is staying on track. If your emergency requires professional care, we’ll do everything we can to see you as quickly as possible.
  • Next, we’ll see you for your exam. When you arrive for your appointment, your Southbridge emergency orthodontist Dr. Gutierrez will see you right away for evaluation. He’ll examine your mouth quickly but thoroughly to determine the extent and details of your emergency.
  • Finally, we’ll get you the care that you need. In many cases, we’ll be able to treat your orthodontic emergency right away with a little adjusting or recementing. In other cases, we may need to provide temporary relief while we order or craft a new piece for your orthodontics. Should Dr. Gutierrez discover signs of a different type of dental emergency, such as a tooth infection or cracked enamel, she may recommend seeing your general dentist for prompt treatment right away.

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Orthodontic emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Some, like a snapped wire or lost bracket, are easy to identify as an emergency. Others can be more difficult to classify, such as a poking wire, lost aligner, or general tooth soreness. In general, if you are in a lot of pain, have damaged orthodontics, or are simply facing a concerning situation or symptom, then give us a call. We can help you assess the seriousness of your situation and determine if it’s something that we can help you manage over the phone or if you need to come in for treatment right away. For your convenience, we’ve gathered important information about some of the most common orthodontic emergencies we see below so you can learn more.

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

woman with braces in pain

There is no set treatment cost of emergency orthodontics in Southbridge. This is because the final price will vary based on a variety of factors, including the type of emergency you’re facing, its severity and what sort of treatment is needed to address it. When you come to see us for your emergency exam, we’ll be able to evaluate your condition and give you an estimated cost beforehand. We’ll also review your options for making your care as affordable as possible.

Every Orthodontic Emergency is Different

illustration of tooth with braces in lifebuoy

Believe it or not, visiting your emergency orthodontist in Southbridge is relatively inexpensive. During your appointment, our team will evaluate the extent of your condition and determine which treatments are necessary to get your smile back on track. Since every case is unique, it’s impossible to provide an accurate cost estimate until you come in for an exam.

However, some common solutions for orthodontic emergencies, like issues with a loose braces bracket or soreness due to poking wires, can be fixed at little-to-no cost. On the other hand, replacing a broken or lost appliance will likely cost more. We will explain our findings and the recommended treatment plan, plus provide a cost estimate in advance so there won’t be any surprises!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

dental insurance written with marker

This depends entirely on the details of your plan, and it can vary widely between dental insurance companies. You can also buy supplementary orthodontic coverage with its own particular details. Don’t worry, our team is happy to help with this process if needed!

Another Option for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

wooden blocks for financing available

Don’t have dental insurance? No problem, you still have access to an emergency orthodontist! We offer third-party financing through LendingPoint. This company has various plans based on each patient’s financial situation; many even come with low or zero percent interest. Contact us to learn more.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

illustration of megaphone saying follow the guidelines

Although some happen because of accidental injuries, not every orthodontic emergency is entirely avoidable. Fortunately, you can keep your smile healthy and save money over time by preventing disruptions to your treatment plan. On that note, it’s crucial that we repair your braces or appliance as soon as possible. Until your appointment, we can provide guidance over the phone if needed.

If you are not currently facing an orthodontic emergency, keep in mind that sticking to the guidelines and restrictions of your treatment plan lowers your risk and the potential cost of an urgent issue in the future.

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

Girl with braces smiling after visiting emergency orthodontist in Southbridge

The best way to deal with an orthodontic emergency is to keep one from happening in the first place! While you can never completely eliminate your risk of encountering one of these somewhat alarming situations, there are plenty of ways you can dramatically reduce your chances of an orthodontic emergency. A few healthy habits and simple precautions can go a tremendously long way in keeping your smile safe and healthy while it’s being straightened.

Toothaches

Is a toothache an emergency? First, remember that some discomfort is to be expected after braces have been placed or adjusted, or if you’ve just begun a new set of clear aligners. The soreness should fade after a couple of days on its own. However, if the pain persists or becomes worse, call us right away. A toothache could be a sign of a serious oral health issue, especially if you notice:

  • A small bump on the gums near the painful tooth
  • Intense pain that lasts longer than a day
  • The painful tooth is darker than nearby teeth or feels numb

How you should handle toothaches: Remember when first wearing braces or a new set of clear aligners, you should eat soft foods to minimize discomfort. Rinsing with salt water can also speed up the healing process. If the pain persists, call us right away! Then, try using flossing around the painful area, use an ice pack to ease swelling, and/or take an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage your symptoms until you can see us.

Loose Bracket

Is a loose bracket or wire an emergency? Your brackets are the small metal attachments bonded to the front of your teeth. They’re connected via a metal wire. A bracket or wire can become loose if you bite into something hard or if you take a blow to the face. If this happens to you and the bracket remains attached to the wire, don’t panic. Simply give us a call. We will want to see you right away in order to repair your braces before the damage worsens and to keep your treatment on track. How you should handle a loose bracket or wire: Dental wax or sugarless gum can be applied to the damaged area to prevent tissue irritation. For a loose bracket, you can attempt to use tweezers to slide it along the wire until it’s back in its original position. If your wire is loose, you should simply leave it alone. Try to avoid eating, biting, or chewing anything until we can see you.

Broken Wire

Is a broken bracket or wire an emergency? Braces are designed to be very strong, but they’re not indestructible. Excess pressure, either from bad chewing habits, hard foods, or a blow to the face, can potentially damage them. A bracket or wire that has broken off completely can be quite alarming, and it may put the soft tissues of your mouth in jeopardy of injury. Call us immediately so we can schedule you for an emergency appointment. How you should handle a broken bracket or wire: A bracket that has detached from the wire but is still attached to the tooth can simply be covered with dental wax or sugarless gum. However, if the bracket is detached from the tooth, you should remove it from the wire and store it in a safe container to bring with you to your appointment. The same can be said for a broken wire: if it can be removed easily, do so and bring it with you. However, if your wire has broken but is still firmly in place, don’t attempt to forcibly remove it. Instead, cover the ends of the wires that could poke your mouth with dental wax or sugarless gum.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency? At first, a protruding wire might not seem like much of an issue. However, it has the potential to cut the soft tissue in your mouth and lead to an infection. So, don’t wait to reach out to our team and get an appointment on the calendar!

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire: Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your mouth until your appointment. First, you can use a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser to guide the wire back into place. If this doesn’t work, don’t force it – leave moving it to our team. Again, the best way to prevent irritation and further damage is by covering the sharp edge with some dental wax or sugarless gum.

Mouth Sores or Irritation

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency? While braces are more comfortable than ever before, the brackets and wires can rub up against the soft tissue in your mouth, resulting in discomfort. This is not only extremely common, but also expected and normal. So, unless the sore isn’t healing, mouth sores aren’t an orthodontic emergency.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation: Fortunately, you can help aid the healing process with a few simple best practices, including rinsing with warm salt water, using dental wax to cover any sharp areas of your braces, and following a solid oral hygiene regimen.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency? Ligatures (also known as rubber bands) are crucial; they help keep the wire in place! As a result, it’s important to bring it to our attention the moment you realize it’s broken.

How you should handle a broken ligature: If a ligature falls off, do your best not to panic. Instead, use a pair of tweezers to reattach it. If the ligature snaps entirely, then get in touch with our team so we can fix it before the others break as well. Until you arrive for your appointment, you can cover any sharp areas with dental wax to protect your lips, tongue, and gums from irritation.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency? Did your braces cut your lip, tongue, or the inside of your cheeks? Since soft tissue injuries tend to bleed a lot, many patients wonder if it’s an orthodontic emergency. The short answer is “no,” unless the bleeding doesn’t stop after 5-10 minutes. In this case, you should head to your nearest ER.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue: If you find yourself with a cut on the inside of your mouth, gently clean the area with a wet washcloth or rinse with clean water. You can also apply pressure to the area to help stop the bleeding and use a cold compress to minimize the swelling. Lastly, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to alleviate any discomfort you’re feeling.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency?

Although it’s normal to get food stuck between your teeth every now and again, it’s important to still take proactive measures to correct the issue. After all, the debris can quickly result in discomfort and negatively impact your oral health.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth

First, try rinsing with warm water. For many patients, this is all that’s needed to dislodge the debris. If that doesn’t work, then use a piece of floss to gently clean between your teeth. If the debris remains firmly in place, then give our Southbridge orthodontic team a call so we can help. Important note: do NOT use tweezers, toothpicks, or any other sharp objects. This can result in a soft tissue injury that does require immediate medical attention.

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency?

Although a broken or lost aligner isn’t technically an orthodontic emergency, it can negatively impact your treatment. That’s why we recommend calling us at your earliest convenience. From there, we can take a look at your treatment plan and determine the best way to get you back on track!

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer

If you’ve lost your aligner, then we recommend retracing your steps first. In the process, pay special attention to the small spaces that your aligners may have fallen into, like the center console in your car or the opening between your couch cushions. If you still can’t find them, then give us a call so we can determine what the next best step is.

If you’ve broken your aligner, then don’t attempt to repair it on your own with household items like super glue. These contain toxins that are not safe to ingest, and the warped tray can cause your teeth to move into the wrong positions. Instead, call our team ASAP. Remember, our Southbridge orthodontist isn’t here to pass judgment; they simply want to get you back on track with your treatment plan!

Loose Teeth

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency?

Although loose teeth may sound like an obvious orthodontic emergency, it’s actually quite normal since your teeth are being moved into entirely new positions. With that said, there are some cases where you should schedule a same-day appointment, like if your tooth feels like it’s on the brink of falling out or you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease. As always, you can give our team a call if you’re ever unsure if your symptoms require emergency care.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth

There are several ways you can avoid exacerbating the issue, like not touching the loose tooth with your tongue or fingers and not chewing on that side of your mouth. If you’re experiencing any other symptoms, like swelling or discomfort, then you can use a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain medication (as directed) until you arrive at our office.