Emergency Orthodontist - Fort Lauderdale, FL

We’re Here to Help When Orthodontic Injuries Occur

While out enjoying the day with your family, you’re unlikely to suspect that an orthodontic emergency will occur. However, when it happens, it can often cause a sense of panic. But before you begin to fret over how to handle the situation, know that Dr. Quintanal and our team at Oceanside Orthodontics are here to help. He will work to see you as quickly as possible. Don’t assume the worst when faced with an orthodontic crisis. Call our office and let our Fort Lauderdale emergency orthodontist and team fix the problem right away!

 

Why Choose Oceanside Orthodontics for Orthodontic Emergencies?

  • Care Delivered by the Same Doctor Every Time
  • Flexible Appointment Times Available
  • Timely, Personalized Care Tailored to Each Patient

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

Fort Lauderdale emergency orthodontic team member answering the phone

There are a few steps you should take when it comes to ensuring timely care for your orthodontic emergency. These include:

  • Calling Our Office: You’ll need to reach out to our team to let us know about the situation you’re experiencing. Depending on the severity, we may be able to provide tips to help you manage the pain at home and avoid further damage. We’ll also work quickly to find a time for you to come in and be seen by Dr. Quintanal.
  • Arriving For Your Appointment: When you arrive at our office, you will be met by a member of our team who will escort you to a treatment room. There, we will take any necessary images as well as perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth.
  • Undergo Essential Treatment: No matter the emergency, whether it is a broken bracket, protruding wire, lacerated tissue, etc., we will help get you out of any pain and fix the problem before it worsens.

Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies Blurb:

Without a doubt, you should call our office if you have an orthodontic emergency. Our team will quickly see you and get your smile-straightening journey back on track! However, you can take steps to handle your dilemma on your own; doing so would ensure a smoother treatment process. If that sounds good to you, click on the relevant icon(s) below and use the associated tips and tricks.

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

Tooth balanced against stacks of coins on scale

While we can’t give you a proper cost estimate for treating your orthodontic emergency until we have evaluated the problem in our office, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that you understand the associated costs before you commit to any procedure. Based on your situation, Dr. Quintanal will recommend an appropriate treatment to restore your comfort and keep your orthodontic process on track. Orthodontic emergencies are generally less expensive than medical emergencies, and neglecting to get the care you need can set you up for worse alignment issues that require more expensive treatments later.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Lady with oral pain looks at orthodontist

Since every orthodontic emergency is unique, we’ll have to evaluate the situation at our Fort Lauderdale office before we can determine the expected cost. Small issues like broken wires or loose brackets can usually be easily and inexpensively repaired, but more severe damage can be more costly to fix. In any case, our team will carefully explain the issue and go over the costs of treating it so you know what you can expect to pay before the treatment begins.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

Blocks spell “dental plan”

The extent to which your insurance plan will cover your orthodontic emergency depends entirely on the specific details of your policy. While many plans cover orthodontic emergencies, some do not offer any coverage for orthodontic treatments for adults, which means that they probably won’t pay for any associated emergency care either. It is possible to buy supplementary insurance if you’d like more coverage for orthodontic emergencies.

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

People go over paperwork

At Oceanside Orthodontics, we understand that many patients who need emergency orthodontic care are uninsured or underinsured. That’s why we offer in-house financing plans with little to no interest. These plans work by breaking your bill into small monthly payments that are easy to manage so you can neatly fit the emergency orthodontic care you need into your budget.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Lady smiles while wearing Invisalign

While orthodontic emergencies often happen for reasons beyond anyone’s control, there are a few smart habits you can adopt to keep your teeth and appliances in great shape and safe from harm. The best way to avoid orthodontic emergencies is to strictly adhere to the instructions for treatment that Dr. Quintanal gives you. For example, if you wear traditional braces, avoiding crunchy, sticky, and sugary foods can prevent damage to your appliances as well as tooth decay. If you wear Invisalign, taking care to remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything but water can keep your appliances in great shape while preventing dental stains and infections. If you notice a problem with your orthodontic treatment, it’s important to bring it to our attention as soon as possible so we can address the issue and avoid more extensive problems and more expensive treatments later on.

How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies

Wincing woman sitting on couch and holding her cheek

No one can predict when an orthodontic emergency will occur, but you as the patient can take steps to reduce the chances of injuring your smile during this time. You can:

  • Avoid eating hard, crunchy, and sticky foods, as these can pull at brackets and wires, causing them to become loose.
  • Maintain regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Quintanal so that he can monitor your progress and address any instances of pain or discomfort that might not be normal.
  • Wear protective mouth gear while engaging in sports or physical activity, as damage to your braces can spell disaster for your mouth and treatment timeline.
  • Adopt good oral hygiene habits at home so that your teeth remain cavity-free while wearing braces. Effective brushing and flossing are essential, so if you need tips to improve your methods, don’t hesitate to ask our team!

Orthodontic Emergency FAQs

Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

As your teeth move into their ideal positions, you may feel soreness and sensitivity – a lot like a toothache. This is normal from time to time, and there are several steps you can take to alleviate your discomfort (i.e., rinsing with warm saltwater, avoiding crunchy foods, taking OTC pain medication as directed). Of course, if your symptoms persist for several days, they seem to be getting worse, or you’re experiencing other warning signs of trouble, such as a pimple-like bump on your gums, you should call us ASAP to schedule an exam.

How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?

Immediately following an adjustment appointment or the transition to a new set of aligners, you may feel discomfort. To prevent this discomfort from interrupting your sleep, we recommend rinsing with warm saltwater, using cold compresses for 10 minutes at a time, and taking OTC pain medication about 30 minutes before bed. If you can, avoid eating crunchy, acidic, and sugary foods at dinner as well.

Can I Pop a Dental Abscess on My Own?

If you notice a pimple-like bump on your gums, do NOT pop it. Doing so can lead to several serious consequences, including the infection spreading throughout your mouth. Instead, call your dentist right away so they can drain the abscess and determine if any further care is needed, like a root canal.

What Should I Do If I Lost an Aligner?

Having basically invisible aligners is a huge plus… until you lose them. Since they can easily blend in, it’s important to be very thorough when retracing your steps. It’s also important to look in unexpected places, like the waste bin in your bathroom, the center console of your car, and the pockets of the pants you were wearing earlier. If you’ve looked everywhere but can’t find your aligners, then call us. We’ll determine if it’s safe to move onto the next set in the series or if you need to wear your previous set while a replacement is made.

Is It Safe to Use A Toothpick?

If you have something stuck on your brackets or between your teeth, you might think to reach for a toothpick. However, the sharp edge can end up pushing the debris further into position. Plus, wooden toothpicks can break off in your mouth, increasing the risk of soft tissue irritation. For all of those reasons, we recommend opting for a different approach: rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater before gently flossing. If that doesn’t work, call us to schedule an appointment.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

Oftentimes, pungent foods, like garlic and fish, are the culprit. If you’ve already tried adjusting your diet, and the odor doesn’t seem to subside even after brushing and flossing your teeth, then it’s time to talk to your dentist so they can determine if halitosis or an untreated oral health issue, like gum disease, is the root of the problem.

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Toothaches

Is a toothache an emergency? When they’re related to braces or aligners, toothaches aren’t often emergencies. A little pain is normal during any type of orthodontic work – many patients feel sore from having their teeth moved into new positions. That said, an ache can become an emergency if it persists, worsens, or starts to look discolored for many days. You’ll want to contact a professional at that point to consider your treatment options; anything less could lead to health issues.

How you should handle a toothache: If your tooth’s pain hasn’t faded after a few days, please contact us. Our team will see you as soon as possible to learn what’s causing the problem, or we’ll at least instruct you to call your regular dentist. While you wait for a full treatment, take pain relievers, apply ice packs, and have cold drinks to numb your ache and reduce swelling. You should then rinse with salt water to kill any bacteria from a potential infection; flossing to remove debris would also help.

Loose Bracket or Wire

Is a loose bracket or wire an emergency? Most instances of loose brackets or wires aren’t painful, so they don’t often need urgent care. Still, you should try to have them fixed soon to keep your treatment on track; you could face delays to your straight smile otherwise. That means you should give us a call right away!

How you should handle a loose bracket or wire: If the bracket or wire is just a little loose, you can try to hold it in place with orthodontic wax. That often works well enough until your next visit with us. On the other hand, you should bring a bracket or wire that falls off completely to your appointment. Our team may be able to reattach it and restabilize your orthodontics right away.

Broken Bracket or Wire

Is a broken bracket or wire an emergency? Compared to a loose bracket or wire, a broken one requires more urgent care. This part of your braces could start poking your soft tissues if it isn’t fixed quickly, irritating your gum tissue. Just make sure you don’t try to fix it yourself; see us for repairs instead.

How you should handle a broken bracket or wire: Before you see us for treatment, collect any broken bracket or wire pieces and bring them to your appointment. Reattachment may be possible depending on the situation. Otherwise, cover any sharp spots as best you can with dental wax or sugarless gum.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency?

While a poking wire may not seem like an emergency, if left unrepaired, it could lead to a soft-tissue infection.

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire:

First, try using a cotton swab or clean pencil eraser to gently guide the protruding wire back into its proper place. You can also place some orthodontic wax or sugarless gum over the sharp part of the wire to protect your cheek, tongue, or lips. Dr. Moon can help you by either clipping the excess wire or moving it back into place and ensuring that the rest of your orthodontic equipment is in good working order.

use a Q-tip or clean pencil eraser to gently move the protruding wire back into place. You could also apply some orthodontic wax or sugarless gum over the wire to stop it from damaging your cheeks, lips, or tongue. We’ll help you put it back into place and make sure that your orthodontics are working as intended.

Mouth Sores or Irritation

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency?

Much like toothaches, mouth sores from braces are frustrating, but completely normal. They happen because your soft tissues need time to adjust to your new wires and brackets and should clear up and feel much better within a few weeks.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation:

If for any reason your mouth sores don’t seem to be healing or begin to feel worse, call Dr. Moon as soon as possible. She can take a closer look at the affected areas and make sure you don’t have an infection and help determine the best way to relieve your pain.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency?

A ligature is a rubber band that holds your braces wires in place. Though it may be small, it’s also very mighty. In fact, if one breaks, the pressure along your teeth will not be evenly distributed. While a broken ligature is not necessarily a same-day treatment, be sure to contact Dr. Moon as soon as possible to be scheduled for a replacement appointment.

How you should handle a broken ligature:

First, be careful not to touch the affected area with your tongue or fingers. Once Dr. Moon performs the necessary repairs, be careful not to damage your new ligature by closely following the dietary and care guidelines and being mindful to avoid bad habits such as nail biting.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency?

If you suffer from a facial injury, your braces could cut into your soft tissues. This type of injury may bleed a lot; however, they are not usually considered a dental emergency. If needed, Dr. Moon can stitch the wound closed, however if the bleeding has not stopped within five to ten minutes, head directly to your nearest emergency room.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue:

Should an injury occur, gently clean the wound with a wet washcloth or by rinsing your mouth out. Then, apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. If you are in any pain, try an over-the-counter pain reliever and cold compress to ease any discomfort.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency? As your teeth move, you might find that food particles get stuck more often. The good news is that this usually doesn’t require a same-day visit to our office. In fact, you’ll likely be able to remedy the situation with a few simple steps!

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth First, dissolve some salt in a cup of warm water. Then, rinse the mixture around in your mouth for 30 seconds at a time. This should help loosen the debris and alleviate inflammation. The last step is to use your floss of choice to gently remove what’s stuck between your teeth. If the debris remains firmly in place, then give us a call.

Broken or Lost Retainer

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency? Yes! There is one main reason for this: a broken/lost aligner or retainer can negatively impact the position of your teeth. So, whether there is a small, hairline crack running down the middle of yours or you can’t find them (even though you’ve looked everywhere you can think of), it’s important that you call our Fort Lauderdale orthodontist right away.

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer When you call, we will schedule an appointment for you with Dr. Ovy. We will also provide you with instructions on what to do until you arrive based on your unique situation. For example, if you lost your aligners, and we need to have replacements made, we will likely ask you to wear your previous set in the meantime.

Loose Teeth

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency? Usually, loose permanent teeth are a warning sign that something is wrong. However, it’s normal for your teeth to not feel as sturdy as they begin to move into their properly aligned positions. So, unless they feel like they are on the brink of falling out, you don’t need to schedule an emergency appointment.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth If your teeth feel slightly loose from time to time during your orthodontic treatment, it’s a good idea to stick to soft, nutrient-dense foods, like plain yogurt. It goes without saying that you should avoid crunchy snacks, like raw nuts, and that you should continue to implement a solid oral hygiene regimen as well. If you are ever concerned, you can always give us a call too – we’d be happy to answer any questions you have.