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
The best ways to ensure you or your child avoid orthodontic emergencies include:
- Brushing and flossing every day to prevent cavities that could throw off a treatment.
- Not chewing on hard items like popcorn kernels, ice, or rock candies that can easily snap a bracket.
- Avoiding particularly chewy items like gum, caramel, or taffy that can become stuck in braces.
- Wearing a special mouthguard during sports that is designed to fit over an orthodontic appliance (we can provide one if you need it!).
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.