Emergency Orthodontist – Cumming, GA
Fast Orthodontic Care Right When You Need It
99% of our patients start treatment and experience absolutely zero problems on their journey toward a new smile, but of course, some encounter bumps along the way. If you or your child find yourselves dealing with a damaged appliance or pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Serenity Orthodontics. Dr. Podray, Dr. Lewis, and Dr. Grochowska , your emergency orthodontists in Cumming, GA, are able to handle every type of urgent situation you can imagine, and we’re happy to schedule same-day appointments as well so patients can get the care they need without delay.
Why Choose Serenity Orthodontics for Orthodontic Emergencies?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Orthodontist with Nearly a Decade of Experience
- Happy to Help Children & Adults Alike
How We Treat Orthodontic Emergencies
When an orthodontic emergency occurs, you can count on us for help. Here’s an overview of the steps that will be taken to address your discomfort and keep the orthodontic process on track:
- Call Our Office: When we receive your call, we’ll ask a number of questions to make sure that we understand what is going on. Then we will explain what measures you can take at home to try and resolve the problem. Possible solutions may include wax, a salt water rinse, or an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Schedule an Appointment: In the event that your orthodontic issue requires professional attention, we will make arrangements to see you as soon as we can. Same-day appointments are available in particularly urgent situations.
- Get the Care You Need: We’ll take whatever steps are required to resolve your emergency. Rest assured that most orthodontic emergencies can be dealt with in a timely manner. If any serious oral health issues are found, we may recommend seeing your regular dentist.
The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies
True orthodontic emergencies don’t occur very often, but you do still need to be able to recognize them so that you can act quickly to have them dealt with appropriately. Below is a brief look at some examples of orthodontic emergencies that our team can help with; call us immediately if you or your child are suffering from any of these symptoms.
Understanding the Cost of Orthodontic Emergencies
Typically, the cost of taking care of an orthodontic emergency is much lower compared to simply ignoring it. Without immediate attention, a relatively small problem can become a large and complicated one that may severely delay a patient’s treatment. We have multiple flexible payment options that can make emergency orthodontic care very affordable, including accepting insurance and offering in-house financing.
Keys to Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies
You want to avoid last-minute trips to our office due to broken brackets, loose wires, and other orthodontic emergencies, right? Good news: there are several things you can do to ensure that your braces (or your child’s braces) stay in tip-top shape. Here are a few examples:
Keep Up With Your Orthodontic Checkups
No matter which orthodontic treatment you chose, you need to come to our Cumming orthodontic office periodically throughout your teeth-straightening journey. These routine appointments allow us to monitor the movement of your teeth, answer any questions you have, and check the condition of your braces. If we notice anything concerning, like a wire that’s slightly out of place, we will fix it then and there, preventing an orthodontic emergency in the process.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home
Did you know that cavities can throw off your orthodontic treatment? Just another reason it’s so important to implement a solid oral hygiene regimen. Make sure that you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth after each meal. You should also floss and rinse with mouthwash to clean between your teeth and prevent plaque buildup.
Tip: If you have traditional braces, buy an interproximal toothbrush!
Stick to the Dietary Guidelines
In an effort to prevent broken brackets, wires, and attachments, patients are asked to adjust their diet during their orthodontic treatment. That starts with not chewing on hard items (i.e., popcorn kernels, ice, or pretzels) and extends to avoiding particularly chewy items, like gum, caramel, or taffy. The best thing to do is find foods that you genuinely enjoy and are braces-friendly, like oatmeal, yogurt, or soup.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
If you participate in a contact sport, then it goes without saying that you need to wear a mouthguard. We actually recommend wearing one even during non-contact ones, like skateboarding or running. That way, your teeth, your gums, and your braces are protected if an accident happens, like you fall.
Tip: If you don’t have a special mouthguard that fits over your orthodontic appliance, get in touch with us – we can provide one!
Break Bad Habits
Just like your teeth, your orthodontic appliances are strong, but not indestructible. That’s why it’s so important that you break bad habits like biting your nails, chewing on ice cubes, or using your teeth to remove bottle caps.
Take Good Care of Your Aligner/Retainer
Your aligners play an important role in guiding your teeth into their properly aligned positions, and your retainer plays an important role in keeping them there. The best way to avoid accidentally losing or breaking them is by placing them in their designated storage case when you aren’t wearing them.
Tip: Always put the case in the same place. You don’t want to lose that either!
Orthodontic Emergency FAQs
Broken braces are enough to cause any child, teen, or adult to panic. Whether it is a protruding wire, loose bracket, or both, the result can lead to an orthodontic emergency no one wants to experience. Fortunately, at Serenity Orthodontics, our exceptional team is here to quickly assess the situation and offer timely treatment to help you get back to your normal activity as soon as possible. But if you’re like most people, you probably have many questions and would prefer to be better prepared should this type of situation happen to you or your child. Below are some common questions we’ve received over the years. Should you have additional concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
When should an orthodontic emergency warrant a visit to the ER?
There are very few situations that should warrant a trip to the ER simply because your orthodontist is capable of handling most problems. However, should you experience a broken or fractured jaw, continuous bleeding from the mouth, or swelling that does not go down around your mouth, jaw, or throat, get to your local ER immediately.
What happens if I lose my retainer?
Because retainers are removable, it’s not uncommon to accidentally lose or damage one. While it’s important that you do everything possible to avoid this, should you find yourself in this situation, make sure to contact our office as soon as possible. The longer you wait to replace your retainer, the greater the chances your teeth will begin to shift back into their original positions. After spending so much time and money on braces, you don’t want to sabotage your hard work by waiting too long to replace a missing or damaged retainer. We will work quickly to order a new one for you.
Why should I seek emergency care?
First, no one wants to walk around with an irritating oral sore or a broken wire sticking out the front of their mouth. Avoiding orthodontic emergency care will only cause your oral health and your facial aesthetic to worsen. Even if the injury doesn’t appear to be problematic on the surface, something could be occurring beneath the surface that is only detectable with the help of advanced technology and a highly trained eye. By addressing these issues when they happen, no matter how minimal or severe, you can avoid more time-consuming and costly treatment in the future.
What should I do if an emergency occurs while I’m out of town?
It is in your best interest to find a local orthodontist who can administer immediate treatment. This will not only allow you to get back to enjoying your time away with family and friends, but it will also prevent a delay in treatment. If an emergency occurs while you’re on vacation, make sure to call and alert us to the situation. We will go over the treatment you received and determine if you should come in when you return. Our orthodontists will likely want to make sure everything looks correct so that there are no surprises moving forward.
Will insurance cover the cost of an orthodontic emergency?
Every dental insurance policy is different, so it is ultimately up to you to speak to a representative who can determine whether these visits are covered. Some stipulations and exclusions may apply; however, most companies allow for these situations, should they occur. The cost of emergency orthodontic visits will ultimately depend on the type of treatment you need, but our team will be happy to discuss the planned cost estimate and identify the most feasible way for you to pay while staying within your budget.