We hope that you will never experience an orthodontic emergency, but if you do, we want you to know that we are always available.
During office hours, emergency time is held open so we may see you as soon as possible. Please understand that although we keep a variety of emergency times available, we may not be able to offer you your “ideal” time for emergency appointments. Our goal is to accommodate you as soon as possible based on the urgency of the situation.
If an emergency occurs after hours, we can be reached by calling 206-245-5778. Please leave a detailed message so we can address the situation as soon as possible. Most of the time an assistant will be able to help you over the phone with a solution to the problem.
If you have a serious injury to the mouth involving braces, and you are unable to reach us, we recommend you call your general dentist or go directly to the emergency room to obtain appropriate care.
Incidentally, you will be happy to know that due to the thoroughness of our comprehensive examinations and treatment, our patients experience very few emergencies.
Below is some helpful information to assist you with possible problems that may arise.
What to Do in Case of Emergency
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
Wire Irritations
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost Separators
Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.