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Emergency Care

Home » Patient Resources » Emergency Care

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies, but we are always available to help you. If you have a broken appliance or are experiencing intense pain, please call us as soon as possible. We will do our best to fit you into the schedule for an appointment. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call immediately to notify us that you need an appliance repaired.

What to Do in Case of Emergency

At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It isn’t uncommon to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Yet it’s comforting to know that genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare.

If you think you may have an emergency, however, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: Is it an urgent situation that requires immediate attention, or a minor problem that you can take care of yourself, temporarily, until you can come in to our office?

A Major Emergency

There are only a few true orthodontic (or dental) emergencies. They include:

• Trauma or injury to the teeth, face, or mouth
• Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth, or face
• Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas

In any of these situations, you should seek help as soon as possible — go to an emergency room, if that’s your best option. Generally, however, the place to start is with your regular dentist. Remember that he or she is trained to handle a range of dental problems, and can most likely offer the necessary diagnostic tools, anesthetics, and treatments you need. If, for example, you have a fractured tooth, your dentist will treat the immediate problem and arrange for the tooth’s restoration; afterward, your orthodontic treatment plan can be adjusted as needed. Likewise, severe pain or swelling could be a sign of infection or disease, which a dentist or periodontist is best able to treat.

Some Minor Troubles

Fortunately, the vast majority of orthodontic problems are minor compared to these situations — but they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it’s best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort, and then call our office to schedule an appointment; that way, we can allot sufficient time to take care of you. Here are a few of the more common orthodontic problems, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them at home:

Loose or Broken Brackets, Bands or Wires

This problem is often caused by eating hard or sticky candy or food, or playing with the braces. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it as is — but don’t connect any elastics to it! You can cover it with orthodontic wax if it’s irritating the inside of your mouth. If it has come off, save it. In either case, call our office to let us know what happened, and we will schedule a visit. Be sure to bring any loose parts with you to the appointment!

Misplaced or Poking Archwire, Bracket or Tie

As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won’t move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions. Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that’s causing problems.

When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call our office and we’ll schedule a time to see you.

General Tooth Pain or Loosening

It’s normal for teeth to become slightly loosened during orthodontic treatment — that shows they’re moving! Sometimes, this movement may be accompanied by tenderness, especially after braces are placed or adjusted. For minor soreness, you can use your regular over-the-counter pain reliever. A twice-a-day salt-water rinse may also help: Mix one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and rinse for 30 seconds. A warm washcloth or heating pad placed on the outside of the jaw can also offer some relief.

While actual emergencies are rare, our goal is to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as possible. If you need additional advice, don’t hesitate to call us!

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Rachel H.
Amazing staff! Everyone is always friendly and professional and I love that they set you up with the whole plan and payments from the beginning so no surprises. They explain everything before they do it and that helped a lot with my kiddos anxiety too. Love them all! Highly recommend!
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Love Sparkman Orthodontics! From the start, they made the process of getting Invisalign for my 11 year old son worry-free. I was concerned about having to work in multiple appointments over the course of the treatment, but fortunately, we are able to do our scans from home! Communication was quick and we've just moved to our last aligner for this phase of treatment and his teeth look great! Highly recommend.
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The whole staff is super nice, and they all made my son feel as comfortable as possible. By far this has been the place with most patience for him. They always make sure he knows exactly what to expect.
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Being a busy mom of four children and working full time appointments are hard to make. Sparkman orthodontics offers a scan at home which has been amazing! Super easy process to getting a straight and beautiful smile!!
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amazing service great customer service, in and out quickly 30 mins tops
Marissa B.
Absolutely caring and professional!! Made the braces journey easy and enjoyable! Friendly staff and doctors! Answer all questions and are very knowledgeable!
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Sparkman has seriously been amazing with all four of my kiddos! Everyone is so thorough and friendly! I will always recommend Sparkman!
Michael V.
Very responsive and helpful through the whole process.
Camila
They did a great job on my son, highly recommend!👍
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Love the doctors and staff..Jonathan was amazing today 😍
Sarah N.
5 stars! My daughter just got her braces off after 18ish months and her teeth are absolutely perfect. The doctors and all of the staff are very prompt & kind. Every appointment was quick & painless. I highly recommend Sparkman to anyone looking for help with their smile.
Rachel W.
Sparkman Orthodontics has a very friendly staff and care about their patients. Their doctors are fantastic! I highly recommend them as an orthodontist.
Daniel S.
Dr. Sparkman recommended my 9 year old son to get Invisalign and I was skeptical at first. But it has been great! My son is way more responsible with them than I thought he’d be and we haven’t had to come into the office for broken brackets or other problems you’d have with normal braces. I definitely recommend Dr. Sparkman and his staff for all your braces needs!
Whitney G.
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Sparkman Orthodontics! From the very beginning, everyone has been incredibly kind, patient, and welcoming. They always take the time to explain everything in a way that both I and my 8-year-old can understand, which has made the whole process so much easier and less intimidating.

We decided on Invisalign for her phase one treatment, and it’s been such a great decision for our family. Not only has it saved us from unexpected office visits for emergencies, but it also fit so well into our busy routine. The team was so thoughtful in helping us decide if Invisalign was the right choice, and we’ve felt supported every step of the way.

Now that she’s finishing up phase one, her smile looks absolutely beautiful - and seeing her confidence grow has been the best part of all. We are so grateful for the care and attention Sparkman Orthodontics has given our family!
Mary L.
Sparkman Orthodontics is absolutely amazing. I brought my daughter here, and we were met with a phenomenal team of workers. Everyone from the receptionist to the doctors were friendly and professional. Thank you! We highly recommend Sparkman Orthodontics!
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Common Orthodontic Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Orthodontic emergencies can range from minor discomfort to more serious issues requiring immediate attention. Common problems include loose or broken brackets, misplaced wires, and general tooth pain. In most cases, these issues can be temporarily managed at home until you can visit your orthodontist.

For loose brackets or wires, avoid manipulating them and contact your orthodontist for guidance. If a wire is poking or causing irritation, you can use orthodontic wax as a temporary solution. For general tooth pain, over-the-counter pain relievers can provide relief. Always consult your orthodontist for proper treatment and avoid attempting repairs on your own.