Whether someone accidentally bites into a popcorn kernel, takes an unexpected fall, or sustains an injury while playing sports, there are all sorts of reasons a person can experience an orthodontic emergency. These can not only cause pain, but really throw a treatment off track as well, adding months of time. If you’re experiencing any discomfort or other issues because of an orthodontic appliance, Dr. Cordes and our team are here to help. Give us a call at the earliest sign of orthodontic emergencies in Enfield, CT, and we’ll schedule an appointment to see you and fix the problem as quickly as possible.
We completely understand that orthodontic emergencies can be scary, alarming, and painful, but we encourage you to stay calm! You can rest a little easier knowing that you have an experiences orthodontic team in your corner. If you or a loved one experienced an orthodontic emergency, just follow these steps:
Orthodontic emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s not always easy to tell if they need to be treated right away. If your orthodontics are loose or broken, or if you’re experiencing any unusual pain or other symptoms, we encourage you to give us a call! We can help assess the seriousness of your situation over the phone In some cases, we may be able to help fully resolve the problem over the phone, and in other cases we’ll do everything we can to schedule you for a same-day emergency appointment. While we’ll give you all the information you need over the phone, you’ll find more tips and tricks on handling some of the most common orthodontic emergencies we treat below.
If you’re facing a potential orthodontic emergency, don’t let worries about the cost of your treatment keep you from calling us. After all, your orthodontics can’t straighten your smile or correct your bite if they’re broken, and they could even end up causing expensive problems down the road! When you come to see us for an emergency exam, we’ll give you a personalized estimate of how much you can expect to pay. From there, we can help you discover your options for making your care more affordable. Read on to learn more about the cost of treating orthodontic emergencies in Enfield.
First thing’s first: there is no set cost for emergency orthodontic treatments because each situation is unique. In many cases, minor issues with brackets or wires can be addressed right away for little or no cost. In some cases, you may need to spend a bit more time and money for a replacement part, such as in the case of a lost aligner. Naturally, extensive damage to your orthodontics or teeth will likely cost more.
Fortunately, you’ll be happy to hear that emergency exams themselves are quite cost-effective compared to things like emergency medical exams. We’ll see you right away and evaluate your situation so we can recommend which treatment(s) to move forward with, and what their estimated cost would be.
It’s important to remember that every dental insurance plan is different. The details of your orthodontic coverage may vary greatly depending on your specific policy and provider. In most cases, if you’ve purchased supplementary orthodontic insurance, your plan will cover some of the cost of your orthodontic emergency. To learn more about the details of your coverage and what your insurance will pay according to your plan, you’ll need to review the paperwork associated with your policy or contact your insurance provider. Alternatively, our knowledgeable staff would be happy to review your coverage and ensure your benefits are being maximized.
Aside from dental or orthodontic insurance coverage, there are several options available to help make your emergency treatment more affordable, including:
A few simple habits and precautions can save you a lot of time, money, and headache when it comes to avoiding orthodontic emergencies! Sticking to the guidelines and restrictions of your treatment plan is essential for keeping your treatment on track and your smile safe. If you or your child is having a difficult time adhering to the details of your treatment plan, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’ll be happy to share practical advice for protecting your orthodontics on a daily basis or evaluate other options that may fit your lifestyle better.
It’s very important that a patient brush and floss their teeth throughout any orthodontic treatment. With clear aligners and removable retainers, this is pretty easy because the appliance can simply be taken out, but routine oral hygiene is a bit tricky with traditional braces. A patient should take extra time to brush every nook and cranny between their teeth and the brackets, and consistently flossing becomes especially important. There are specially made inter-dental flossers that are designed to work around braces, so these are a great buy if you or your child are currently undergoing treatment!
While we’re more than able to help patients with orthodontic emergencies, the best approach is to avoid them altogether, right? Here are a few tips to do exactly that:
Reading through the above information can give you valuable insight into everything from the common types of orthodontic injuries to preventive tips. However, to be as prepared as possible, you may still have some questions on your mind. Well, we want to help! Keep reading for the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get from patients regarding an orthodontic emergency in Westfield. If you don’t see your question, contact our team!
When conducted by a professional, orthodontic treatment itself is not harmful to your teeth. Patient behaviors during treatment, however, can cause harm or damage. Poor dental hygiene like not brushing or flossing regularly; a diet heavy in sugary, chewy, or crunchy foods or beverages that can damage the orthodontic appliance; and avoiding dental cleanings or orthodontic treatment appointments and adjustments can cause long-term damage to your teeth. Your unique orthodontic treatment has been carefully designed to guide your jaw into its proper alignment; without proper care or timely and necessary adjustments, your mouth and teeth are at risk of developing cavities and will not function the way they should.
Yes – using a nail clipper or pair of fingernail scissors, you can trim down the wire to a point where it won’t bother you anymore. Your orthodontist will correct anything that’s out of place at your next appointment.
Yes, your braces will rub up against the inside of your mouth because it’s still getting acclimated to the appliance. As your mouth gets used to having braces on your teeth, it will account for the braces and lessen the frequency of sores and ulcers, sometimes eliminating them entirely. However, if sores and ulcers continue to arise, follow the tips outlined above to mitigate the discomfort they cause.
If your retainer breaks, stop wearing it and call your emergency orthodontist in Westfield immediately. Retainers serve an important purpose in orthodontic treatment, as they keep your smile straight and healthy. Failing to wear your retainer during the timeframe prescribed by your orthodontist can cause your teeth to relapse back into an unhealthy position. A broken retainer can improperly apply force to your teeth which can result in an incorrect shift, which can cause issues like the ones you originally set out to correct with braces.
Invisalign & 3M Clarity Clear Aligners Clear Braces Traditional Braces Phase I Pediatric Orthodontics Orthognathic Surgery Orthodontic Appliances Dentofacial Orthopedics Adult Treatment