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Emergency Orthodontist — Worcester, MA

Immediate Orthodontic Care When You Need It Most

Even if you’re diligent about taking proper care of your smile, an orthodontic emergency can happen when you least expect it to. Fortunately, our team at Super Braces of Worcester is more than ready to address your situation and get your oral health back to normal. We’ll do everything possible to prevent any issues from worsening and negatively affecting your smile. When you give us a call, we’ll work diligently to get you seen that same day. If you’d like to learn more about orthodontic emergencies, continue reading or give us a call today to schedule a visit with our emergency orthodontist in Worcester, MA!

young girl with orthodontic emergency in Worcester

Why Choose Dr. Jamie Moon for Emergency Orthodontic Care?

  • Dental Insurance-Friendly Orthodontic Office
  • CareCredit Financing Available
  • Kind and Friendly Team of Professionals

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

patient talking to dentist about orthodontic emergency in Worcester
  • Contact Our Orthodontic Office – First things first, you should give our orthodontic office a call and schedule an emergency orthodontic appointment. Over the phone, we’ll provide you with first-aid instructions to help you manage your situation while you wait to see us.
  • Have a Same-Day Appointment – When you come in for your exam, we’ll thoroughly assess your condition and take X-rays to identify the root of the problem. Once we’re done, we’ll start working on your custom treatment plan to get you the prompt relief you deserve.
  • Get the Care You Need – We will work quickly and diligently to address your issue and keep it from worsening. Depending on your case, you may need to see your regular dentist for emergency dental treatment.

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

If you have an orthodontic emergency, you should start by calling our orthodontic office right away so we can get you scheduled for an appointment. The sooner we repair your braces, the more likely we can help you prevent disruptions in your treatment process. There are multiple ways to improve your situation ahead of your emergency appointment. If needed, we can also provide guidance over the phone before you arrive. In the meantime, here’s how you can handle some common emergencies.

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

stack of money with dental tools

Since no two orthodontic emergencies are exactly the same, we won’t be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of the price until you come in and see us for an exam. With that being said, we can absolutely review the factors that influence the cost, including if you can use your dental insurance benefits. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the cost of orthodontic emergencies in Worcester, keep reading!

Remember, Every Orthodontic Emergency is Different

Since every patient is unique, the cost of treating an orthodontic emergency in Worcester will vary on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, depending on the orthodontic provider, any emergencies you experience during your treatment may be covered in the cost of the visits. It’s also important to keep in mind that certain treatments for general dental emergencies (i.e., crowns, fillings, root canal therapy) are usually not provided by orthodontists. For those, you’ll need to speak to your general dentist to figure out the expected costs. As always, our team will go over any pricing information beforehand to ensure you know exactly what to expect.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies

Fortunately, many dental insurance providers offer some form of coverage in emergency situations. However, each plan is different, and the benefits vary widely. For some patients, buying supplemental coverage can help, but it’s important to double-check the fine print before assuming orthodontic emergencies are included.

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, then ask our team about LendingPoint! As a trusted third-party financier that has helped countless patients, their payment plans can help you get the treatment you need without breaking the bank. Furthermore, there is low-to-no interest attached for qualified patients, which makes this financial solution more affordable in the long-term as well.

Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

With the right best practices in place, there is a good chance you’ll make it through your entire orthodontic treatment without any emergency situations. That’s why it’s crucial to follow your orthodontist’s guidelines, like not eating crunchy foods or engaging in unhealthy habits, such as nail-biting. Implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen is also crucial because it prevents cavities and other oral health problems from developing, which could’ve otherwise left you vulnerable to a sudden chip or fracture.

Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

close up of someone flossing their braces

One of the best ways to prevent orthodontic emergencies is by following the rules of your treatment plan. Although this takes a bit of effort and may seem inconvenient at times, the below best practices can help protect your braces (and your teeth!) from harm. So, make sure to:

Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly

Whether you have traditional braces or Invisalign, it’s very important that you visit us for your check-in appointments. During these visits, we cover a lot of ground – from examining the condition of your braces to monitoring the movement of your teeth. That way, we can make adjustments to your treatment plan and intervene as needed before an orthodontic emergency arises.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Orthodontic emergencies extend beyond just broken brackets and wires; toothaches, mouth sores, and loose teeth are all examples too! That’s one of the many reasons why it’s so important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen at home. First, brush your teeth after each meal, making sure to remove food particles and other debris from your braces in the process. Second, floss and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash each evening.

Avoid Crunchy, Sticky, Hard, and Sugary Foods

Raw nuts, celery, peanut brittle, and tortilla chips are a few foods that you’ll need to avoid during your orthodontic treatment if you have traditional braces. Why? Simply put, the pressure of crunchy, sticky, and hard products like these can cause a bracket or wire to snap, requiring an immediate visit to our Worcester orthodontist. We also recommend keeping your consumption of added sugar to a minimum to reduce your risk of cavities and other serious oral health problems.

Wear a Mouthguard During Sports

Unfortunately, sports-related accidents can easily result in a broken tooth and a broken bracket. So, whether you play on your school’s football team, you are a part of your neighborhood’s soccer team, or you like to skateboard on your own, you need to wear a mouthguard. If you don’t currently have one (or the one you have is uncomfortable), we can help – we can have a custom one made to protect your teeth and your braces from harm.

Quit Unhealthy Dental Habits

Do you bite your nails, chew on pen caps, or use your teeth to open packages? These are all unhealthy dental habits that can leave you with an orthodontic emergency that warrants an immediate visit to our office. To help prevent that from happening, avoid using your teeth as tools altogether.

Orthodontic Emergency FAQs

Woman with braces smiling while talking on phone

If you want to learn more about orthodontic emergencies – from if you should ever visit the ER to if toothaches are normal during your treatment – you’re in the right place. This whole next section is dedicated to answering frequently asked questions we hear from patients. Of course, if you would prefer to speak with our Worcester orthodontist directly or you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, you can also give us a call.

Are toothpicks safe to use?

If you have debris caught between your teeth or around one of your brackets, you should NOT use a toothpick. Although this may seem like a safe option, it’s very easy for a piece to splinter off, damaging the soft tissue in your mouth in the process. Furthermore, swallowing a toothpick can be fatal. That’s why we recommend taking a different approach: rinsing with warm saltwater and flossing gently around the area. You can also schedule an appointment with our team if you’ve tried this approach and the debris remains firmly in place.

Should I visit the emergency room first for orthodontic emergencies?

Since hospitals don’t usually have an orthodontist on-staff, it’s very unlikely that they will be able to do much more than alleviate any pain you’re feeling. That’s why we encourage patients to call us first. Of course, there are some cases that warrant a visit to the ER, including if you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms (i.e., trouble swallowing, uncontrollable bleeding, a fractured jaw).

Can superglue be used to repair broken braces?

In short, the answer is “no.” Although superglue is a powerful adhesive, it contains toxins that are not safe to ingest. Therefore, the best thing to do if your braces are broken is to schedule an appointment with our team. In the meantime, store the broken pieces in a small container (if you have them) and do your best to avoid damaging your braces any further.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Some tooth pain is normal with braces. After all, your teeth are being guided into completely new positions! However, if your toothache has persisted for more than 24 hours, then we recommend giving us a call. That way, we can take a look at your teeth and gums, making sure that an untreated oral health issue isn’t the root of the problem.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

If you have a toothache, but your appointment is still a day or two away, there are a few measures you can take to sleep soundly. First, don’t eat anything particularly crunchy at dinner, like tortilla chips. This will only exacerbate the discomfort you’re experiencing. Next, take an OTC pain reliever before bed and place a towel-wrapped icepack against your cheek for 10 minutes at a time to alleviate swelling. Lastly, keep your head elevated while you sleep by propping yourself up on some pillows.

Toothache

Is a toothache an emergency? Whether you have braces, Invisalign, or any other orthodontic treatment, a little dental soreness is to be expected. Your teeth, soft tissues, and facial bones are adjusting to the new pressure on your pearly whites, which will naturally result in a little bit of discomfort.

However, if you can pinpoint your dental pain to a specific area or one or two teeth, that’s considered a toothache. Most toothaches are minor and no cause for alarm, but they can sometimes indicate a serious issue that needs emergency treatment, such as an abscess or infection. Your toothache qualifies as an emergency if:

  • The pain is intense and lasts for more than 24 hours
  • There’s a small bump on the gums near the painful tooth
  • The painful tooth is darkened or noticeably darker than your other teeth
  • You’re experiencing symptoms of a serious infection, such as swelling in the mouth, fatigue, or fever

How you should handle toothaches: First, rinse your mouth with water and try brushing and flossing around the area. If that doesn’t help, give our office a call. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed on the packaging to help mitigate discomfort. You can also place an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your mouth for 10-minute intervals to control swelling and numb the area.

Loose Bracket

Is a loose bracket an emergency? A loose bracket is nothing to panic about, but you should call us right away. Your brackets need to be firmly anchored onto your teeth in order to properly transfer the tension from the wire and shift your pearly whites. Should one come loose, your treatment could get off track. If you notice that a bracket is loose, call us so we can schedule for the next available appointment.

How you should handle a loose bracket: If the bracket is loose but still bonded to the tooth, just leave it alone. Do your best to avoid touching it with your finger, tongue, or food. However, if it is off the tooth and just attached to the wire, you can try sliding it back into place so it feels more secure. If that’s not possible, you cover it with sugarless gum or orthodontic wax to hold it in place and protect your soft tissues from it. Most of all, don’t try to repair this yourself, as this can cause even more damage.

Broken Wire

Is a broken wire an emergency?  Not only are broken braces wires typically uncomfortable and difficult to ignore, but they can delay your treatment. More importantly, a broken wire could scratch your teeth, gums, tongue, lips, or cheek! Call us right away so we can schedule you for an appointment.

How you should handle a broken wire: Do your best to avoid touching the wire with your tongue or your fingers, and avoid biting into foods or chewing if it will disturb the wire. If the inside of your mouth has been scratched, consider rinsing with saltwater to keep the injury clean. Use sugarless gum or orthodontic wax to cover up the broken part of your wire. If a part of the wire has come out of your mouth, don’t try to put it back in place! Instead, keep it in a safe container and bring it with you to your appointment.

Protruding/Poking Wire

Is a poking or protruding wire an emergency? Even if a protruding wire doesn’t hurt, you should schedule an appointment. After all, you don’t want the wire to cut your gums, irritate the soft tissue in your mouth, or result in an infection.

How you should handle a poking or protruding wire: If the wire is slightly out of position, using a clean pencil eraser or a Q-tip may be all that’s needed to guide it back into place. If that doesn’t work, place some dental wax over the edge of the wire to protect your gums, lips, and tongue until your visit.

Mouth Sores or Irritation

Are mouth sores or irritation an emergency? Mouth sores can be quite uncomfortable. However, they aren’t considered an “emergency” until the wound doesn’t heal. So, make sure to keep an eye on it and get in touch if you don’t see any signs of progress.

How you should handle mouth sores or irritation: Don’t worry – there are several things you can do to help alleviate the discomfort stemming from your mouth sore. First, try rinsing with a mixture of salt and warm water. The mixture of these two household items creates a natural disinfectant that will promote healing and prevent infection. Next, avoid sugary, acidic, and spicy foods since these will exacerbate any symptoms you’re experiencing. Lastly, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease your discomfort.

Broken Ligature

Is a broken ligature an emergency? The rubber bands that hold your wires in place might be small, but they serve an important purpose. If one snaps, the pressure won’t be evenly distributed along your teeth. While you might not need same-day treatment, it is crucial that you contact our orthodontist right away to get an appointment on the calendar.

How you should handle a broken ligature: Although it might be tempting, don’t touch the area with your fingers or tongue. After your braces are repaired, do your best to prevent a broken ligature again by abiding by the dietary guidelines and steering clear of unhealthy habits, like biting your nails.

Cut Lips, Cheeks, or Tongue

Is a cut lip, cheek, or tongue an emergency? If the cut has resulted in uncontrollable bleeding or is present with another potentially life-threatening condition (like a fractured jaw or trouble swallowing), then it is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. In this scenario, you should call 911 or head to your nearest ER.

How you should handle a cut lip, cheek, or tongue: If the cut isn’t something that needs immediate medical attention, you should use a clean, wet washcloth to rinse your mouth. If you’re still bleeding, apply pressure to the area. If the area is swollen, use a cold compress or towel-wrapped ice pack to help reduce puffiness. Lastly, if discomfort is your biggest symptom, take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is Having Something Stuck Between the Teeth an Emergency?

It is common for patients with braces to get food stuck between their teeth. If this happens to you, do your best to dislodge it instead of hoping the issue will resolve itself with enough time. If you have any trouble or the pain persists even after you remove the debris, get in touch with our team.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between the Teeth

The first step is to gently swish with clean, warm water. If the debris is still firmly lodged between your teeth, use pre-threaded floss or an oral irrigator to remove the stuck item. If none of these methods work, then give our team a call to schedule an appointment. Important note: do NOT use sharp objects, like a toothpick. This has the potential to cause further damage.

Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer

Is a Broken/Lost Aligner or Retainer an Emergency?

While a broken or lost retainer isn’t considered an orthodontic emergency, it does have the potential to delay your treatment. For this reason, it’s important to reach out to our team right away. The sooner you do, the sooner we can get to work on repairing or replacing it.

How You Should Handle a Broken or Lost Aligner/Retainer

Handling a lost retainer is quite simple. First, retrace your steps, paying close attention to the small crevices it could’ve fallen into. Once you’ve confirmed that it is indeed missing, call our office so we can determine the next best steps. If, on the other hand, your retainer is broken, don’t wear it or attempt to fix it with a household item like superglue. Instead, get in touch with our team so we can either repair it or order a replacement.

Loose Teeth

Are Loose Teeth an Emergency?

You may feel alarmed at slightly loose teeth, but it is common during orthodontic treatment – your teeth are moving positions, after all! However, if they feel really loose or you’re concerned, then don’t hesitate to contact us so we can take a look.

How You Should Handle Loose Teeth

Naturally, the first step is to avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or chewy. It’s crucial to also implement a solid oral hygiene routine to fight off bacteria that can weaken the tissue. As always, if you are concerned, you can schedule an appointment with our team. At your visit, we will conduct an exam, take X-rays, and determine if there is any cause for concern.