Emergencies

Orthodontic Emergencies

At Stormberg Orthodontics, we want to provide our patients with beautiful, straight smiles, and our team understands that sometimes there are bumps along the way. Mishaps happen with braces, Invisalign®, and clear braces, it’s part of the orthodontic process. In the event that something on your braces becomes loose or dislodged, please call Dr. Stormberg’s office in San Diego. We are conveniently located in La Mesa and see patients from Santee, El Cajon and all over the East County of San Diego. For any orthodontic emergency, call our office to explain the situation and we will arrange an appointment if necessary. Continue reading for tips during orthodontic emergencies!

Can I Do Anything At Home To Relieve An Orthodontic Problem?

Yes, you can! Many patients do not realize that there are steps you can take on your own to stabilize the problem until you are able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stormberg. Here are a few scenarios that you may encounter and suggested actions to take:

• Dislodged wire: If a wire has become free and is poking the soft tissues, causing you discomfort, you can use a pencil eraser to push it down or cover the end with wax to eliminate the friction temporarily. Wax can generally be used for any part of the appliance that is causing irritation.

• Loose bracket or band: If the bracket comes loose, but is still attached to the wire, put some wax on it. Please call our office at your soonest availability, during our business hours or leave a message!

• Loose wire: You can attempt to guide the wire back into place using tweezers. If this fails, you can use fingernail clippers to cut the wire behind the last secure tooth attachment, but keep in mind that this should be a last resort.

• Lost separator: This is a common problem during orthodontic care. Please call our office for future instructions.

• Poor-fitting headgear: Double check that you are wearing the headgear as instructed, and be sure to wear the headgear for the recommended number of hours. In cases of a bent facebow, call our office for assistance.

• General soreness: Some soreness is expected after you first get your braces or Invisalign®. You can treat this problem by rinsing out your mouth with warm salt water or using an over the counter painkiller for more severe pain. Also, your soft tissues have to adjust to the appliances, and it can take a week or two before you’ll notice a decrease in sensitivity. You can use wax for more comfort with your braces or clear braces at this time.

What Is A Serious Emergency?

Some orthodontic situations are more serious than others and should be treated as such. Call Dr. Stormberg’s office immediately if any of the following have occurred:

• An injury or trauma to the face, mouth, or teeth

• Swelling or infection of the face, mouth, or gums

• Severe pain in the face, mouth, gums, or teeth

If you are experiencing any of these situations or symptoms, please seek help at Stormberg Orthodontics. Or, if it is after normal business hours, recorded instructions/phone numbers will be available for further assistance. If you cannot reach us, you can also seek care in the emergency room of the hospital.

Discuss “In Case Of Emergency” Protocol With Us!

When you get your orthodontic appliances, it’s a good opportunity to review “in case of emergency” instructions and recommendations with our orthodontist, Dr. Stormberg. You may even want to keep a written list of these suggestions with you for a quick reference. This is what we are here for. We want to help guide you through your orthodontic treatment process and constantly be a resource for you. Never hesitate to ask questions or tell us when you are concerned. No matter what, the Stormberg Orthodontics team will be there for you!