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Milton, MA 02186 Call (617) 698-8883
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Emergency Orthodontist — Milton, MA

Effective Care in Times of Crisis

A woman smiling while her orthodontist in Milton examines her braces during orthodontic emergency

If you have traditional metal braces, clear aligners or are wearing another form of orthodontics, you’ll want to have an orthodontist in Milton whom you can trust to provide timely care, should you ever experience an emergency. From broken brackets and loose wires to intense pain or a lost piece of an appliance, these are common problems that are known to happen from time to time. Here at Milton Orthodontics, Dr. Saunders and his team are ready to jump into action should a situation arise. To learn more about what you can do to mitigate these problems at home while waiting to see our team, review the following information and contact us should you experience an orthodontic emergency.

Why Choose Milton Orthodontics for Emergency Orthodontic Care?

What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency

: a closeup of a smile with braces

  1. Call Our Office – The bottom line is that every orthodontic emergency is going to be different since everyone has a unique smile—however, there is one thing in common among them all, and that’s our team is only a phone call away! We’ll be able to assess the situation after you’ve explained things and provide you with some initial steps to take while you wait for your appointment, including rinsing your mouth with water and applying orthodontic wax. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used.
  2. Schedule An Appointment – If necessary, we’ll schedule you for a visit that very day, although sometimes the situation can wait until your next checkup.
  3. Get The Help You Need – Once seated, our priority becomes addressing any discomfort and getting to the bottom of what’s causing the issue. In some cases, a follow-up appointment may be necessary; we’re happy to get this set up for you!

The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Orthodontic emergencies don’t always seem urgent, but it’s always best to contact us whenever you experience any type of issue or complication with your treatment—this is the only surefire way to prevent long-term issues with it! It’s also worth mentioning that many types of orthodontic emergencies can be handled over the phone, but some warrant professional assistance. Here’s a little more about some of the most common orthodontic emergencies that we see and how they’re typically handled:

Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies

a patient paying for emergency orthodontic treatment

Simply put, fear of expensive treatment should never keep you from getting the urgent care that your smile (or your child’s smile) needs. However, since no two orthodontic emergencies are exactly the same, you’ll need to come to visit us so we can provide you with an estimated cost of treatment. Upon arrival, we can begin our emergency exam, determine the source of the problem, and give you an idea of what you’ll need to pay. In the meantime, here’s some useful information concerning the cost of orthodontic emergencies and how you can make them more affordable.

Every Orthodontic Emergency Is Different

a patient with braces dealing with oral pain

Every orthodontic emergency is different, and that means the cost of treatment can vary depending on the situation. Minor issues, like a loose bracket or a poking wire, may be quick and inexpensive to fix, especially if caught early. However, more complex problems, such as a damaged appliance or injury to the mouth, may require additional time, materials, or follow-up care to be fully treated. Our team will always assess the issue, explain your options, and provide a cost estimate before beginning any repairs so that you know exactly what to expect and aren’t hit with any surprises.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?

a digital dental insurance form

Dental insurance may cover orthodontic emergencies, but it depends on your specific plan. Some policies include limited coverage for urgent repairs, especially if the issue is causing pain or could interfere with your treatment progress. However, other plans may not cover emergency visits related to braces or aligners at all. That’s why it’s always a good idea to review your benefits or call your insurance provider to understand what’s included. Our office is thrilled to accept various insurance plans, including Altus, Anthem BC/BS, BC/BS MA Indemnity, Humana, and United Healthcare PPO. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have concerns about using your benefits to cover the cost of your orthodontic care; we’re happy to assist you!  

Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergencies Affordable

a patient with braces smiling

We understand that unexpected orthodontic emergencies can be stressful, not just for your smile, but also for your budget. That’s why we offer several options in addition to accepting dental insurance to help make care more affordable. Our office proudly partners with CareCredit and Chewsi, giving you flexible payment and savings options when you need them most. We also offer a preferred patient plan with built-in perks and discounts, designed to help you manage treatment costs more easily. Don’t hesitate to ask our team for more details!

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

a patient holding a model tooth carefully in her cupped hands

Taking good care of your smile during orthodontic treatment is one of the best ways to avoid extra costs. Brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding foods that can damage your braces or aligners, and wearing a mouth guard during sports all help prevent problems that could lead to unexpected repairs or delays in treatment. Staying on top of your oral hygiene also reduces the risk of cavities or gum issues, which can become more complicated and expensive to treat while wearing braces. A little daily effort goes a long way in protecting your smile and your wallet!

Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies

a patient with braces using a dental flosser

Orthodontic emergencies aren’t as common as you may think, and there’s a chance you could go through your entire treatment without experiencing one – but you shouldn’t count on this! Instead, you can take some precautions and maintain some good habits to lower the chances of sustaining one. Keep reading to learn about a few ways you can keep your orthodontic treatment right on schedule by avoiding potential mishaps and setbacks, and as always, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as you’ve noticed something’s wrong with your treatment.  

Visit Your Dentist & Orthodontist Regularly

A patient visiting her dentist for a checkup

The fact of the matter is, a healthy smile is far less likely to experience problems like cavities and gum disease that can spawn orthodontic emergencies – and while brushing and flossing does a lot, you must continue to visit your dentist regularly so they can ensure there are no hidden problems worsening. Likewise, your orthodontist will be able to inspect your orthodontia to ensure that there are no issues that might lead to pain or treatment setbacks. If something is amiss when you go in for one of these routine check-ins, they’ll be able to quickly fix it.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home

A girl with braces brushing her teeth

One of the very last things you should want to happen while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment is for an oral health issue to pop up. Cavities, gum disease, and many other types of problems that result from poor oral hygiene can actually cause setbacks to your orthodontic treatment. With that in mind, you should be extra diligent when it comes to brushing and flossing at home, even brushing after every meal if possible, and keeping your aligners or your braces clean at all times. Use special products designed for braces and clear aligners, and don’t hesitate to brush after meals to ensure no lingering food debris is left to trigger issues.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

A woman with braces eating an apple

You’ll want to stay away from particularly hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you wear braces, these sorts of items can damage your brackets and wires, or even the teeth themselves. Likewise, clear aligners shouldn’t be worn when you’re eating. Since you’re going to be making dietary changes to avoid orthodontic mishaps, it’s also in your best interest to opt for healthy, smile-friendly options that mesh well with your braces.

Wear a Mouthguard When Playing Sports

A closeup of an athletic mouthguard

Wearing a mouthguard when playing any type of sport or engaging in physical activity is a crucial step to preventing orthodontic emergencies. All it takes is one foul ball, flung elbow, or a bad slip and fall for you to end up with a loose or broken bracket or wire, or worse – a knocked-out tooth! That said, a mouthguard can greatly mitigate these types of dental disasters and protect your orthodontic investment. Don’t hesitate to speak with us about getting one of these devices.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

A kid with braces smiling

Your teeth should never be used to remove bottle caps, tear into plastic packaging, or hold objects like car keys, pens, and pencils. Likewise, you shouldn’t bite into hard objects like ice cubes frequently, nor should you bite your nails. These are just a few of the many bad habits that can damage your teeth and your orthodontia. Should something happen and something breaks, don’t hesitate to contact our office at once!

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Toothache  

Is a Toothache an Emergency? To effectively guide your teeth into a more aesthetically pleasing position, braces apply a good deal of pressure. Therefore, some tooth pain is normal during orthodontic treatment, especially after your braces get adjusted. However, mild to severe discomfort stemming from one tooth or a specific area of your mouth could be a result of decay, which needs to be treated right away. Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t hesitate to bring any tooth or oral pain to our Milton orthodontic team’s attention.

How You Should Handle Toothaches There are a few proactive measures you can take from home, including rinsing with warm saltwater, placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, and not eating anything crunchy. However, to get the long-lasting relief you need, you should prioritize scheduling an appointment with our team. That way, we can conduct an exam and intervene with the appropriate treatment if necessary. We can also provide personalized tips on how to prevent this from happening again in the future.

Loose Bracket or Wire  

Is a Loose Bracket or Wire an Emergency? Remember, pain isn’t the only indicator of an orthodontic emergency. If your bracket or wire has come loose, then it’s crucial that you call our Milton orthodontist ASAP to have your braces fixed. This way, they can intervene before this orthodontic emergency negatively impacts your treatment plan.

How You Should Handle a Loose Bracket or Wire Of course, the first step is calling us to schedule an appointment. Until then, we recommend using orthodontic wax to cover the loose bracket or wire (this will help prevent your gums, lips, and tongue from being cut). Note: if a portion of your braces has completely come off, then store it in a clean container and bring it with you to your appointment as well.

Broken Bracket or Wire  

Is a Broken Bracket or Wire an Emergency? Yes, a broken bracket or wire is an orthodontic emergency, and we recommend acting fast to prevent further damage, like a serious soft tissue injury. So, don’t wait – contact our team right away to schedule an appointment!

How You Should Handle a Broken Bracket or Wire When you call our office to inform us of your orthodontic emergency, we will schedule a time for you to come in for treatment and provide you with instructions on what to do in the meantime. That includes collecting the broken pieces of your braces, covering any sharp edges of your brackets and wires with dental wax, and taking an OTC pain reliever (if needed).

Poking Wire

Is a Poking or Protruding Wire an Emergency? This is considered an orthodontic emergency because there is a risk that the wire will cut the soft tissue in your mouth. Plus, broken braces can negatively impact the movement of your teeth, which we want to avoid as well.

How You Should Handle A Poking or Protruding Wire Sometimes, the wire can gently be guided back into position. Even if that’s the case for you, it’s important to cover the end of the wire with dental wax to protect your tongue, lips, and the soft tissue in your mouth.

Mouth Sores

Are Mouth Sores or Irritation an Emergency? Although mouth sores and soft tissue irritation can be quite uncomfortable, they are completely normal. The good news is that there are several ways you can alleviate and even prevent both of these from arising, which we will cover in the next section.

How You Should Handle Mouth Sores or Irritation If you have a mouth sore, then rinse with warm saltwater periodically, sip on clean, cool water throughout the day to stay hydrated, and avoid spicy, acidic, and sugary foods. We also recommend putting dental wax over any sharp edges of your braces to prevent soft tissue irritation entirely.

Broken Ligature

Is a Broken Ligature an Emergency? Although small, the rubber bands that hold your wire in place are crucial. So, if one of them snaps, it’s important that you contact our Milton office ASAP to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated orthodontists: Dr. Sherman or Dr. Saunders.

How You Should Handle a Broken Ligature The best thing to do is contact us to schedule an appointment within the next day or two. It’s also important to avoid doing anything that could damage your braces further, like eating something crunchy or chewing on ice cubes.

Soft Tissue Cuts

Is a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue an Emergency? It is if the bleeding is uncontrollable. If that’s the case, then you need to go to the ER or call 911 right away. If that’s not the case, then you’ll be happy to know that soft tissue cuts can usually be handled at home quite easily.

How You Should Handle a Cut Lip, Cheek, or Tongue If the cut is small, then go to the sink and rinse your mouth with clean, cool water. Next, use a damp, clean washcloth or some gauze to apply pressure, stopping the bleeding in the process. Finally, use a cold compress to alleviate swelling and inflammation.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Broken or Lost Retainer

Loose Teeth

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