Nothing brings your weekend to a screaming halt faster than a visit to the emergency orthodontist, yet it’s great to have them around when you need them. Here are four reasons to visit the emergency orthodontist.
What is an emergency orthodontist?
These days, the emergency room has become a catch-all for dental emergencies. The rate of people visiting the emergency room for dental emergencies due to lack of regular dental care nearly doubled in the first decade of the 21st century. The number of parents utilizing an emergency pediatric dentist for regular care has also increased. These uses of the emergency room can be extraordinarily expensive and traumatic. This is why an emergency orthodontist is a great resource to have close by.
An emergency orthodontist is generally open when other orthodontists close. They may also keep emergency appointment times free on their daily schedule. Typically, they are well-versed in what constitutes an orthodontic emergency, reserving space and time to treat last-minute, emergency patients.
What are common orthodontic emergencies?
In some cases, your most important first step is determining whether or not the dental issue can be handled with a regular appointment, a visit to the ER, or an emergency orthodontist.
The American Dental Association estimates that almost all of the nearly two million emergency room visits in 2012 for dental issues could have been referred to a weekend emergency dentist, saving over $1.5 billion dollars annually. In some cases, these could have been handled by a regular dental appointment.
Here are four reasons to visit an emergency orthodontist.
Reason #1: Knocked out tooth
A knocked out tooth does constitute an orthodontic emergency. This is especially true if that tooth is being held in the mouth by a braces bracket and wire. While this is not common, it is important to get immediate care to preserve the tooth and protect the orthodontia.
In contrast, a chipped tooth, with or without braces, can usually be handled with an “as-soon-as-possible” appointment.
Reason #2: Broken bracket, wire, or band
In many cases, broken brackets, poking wire, or loose bands do not require an emergency orthodontist. If you do experience any of these, it’s important to give your orthodontist a call, though.
Most orthodontists are used to their young patients needing these types of repairs and can make time in their schedule to provide a quick fix.
Reason #3: Painful mouth sores or lesions
The sometimes-painful period of adjustment is a fact of life when it comes to orthodontic treatments.
While not technically an emergency, your weekend dentist may be able to see you to address any extreme cases of irritation, including painful mouth sores and lesions.
Reason #4: Bleeding after braces
While bleeding is not common when braces are applied, underlying dental conditions may be present.
If you experience bleeding after braces, give your emergency orthodontist a call.
What can an emergency orthodontist do?
An emergency orthodontist can do what seems like the impossible: magically find time in their schedule when you need it.
Even outside of posted business hours, give your emergency orthodontist a call before heading to the emergency room. Most orthodontists have an answering service that will take your call or direct you to the nearest location. They can frequently make appointments even if they are officially closed, so work with your provider first.
At AZ Dentist, we are a weekend dentist that understands that your teeth don’t take the weekend off. We are available by appointment on Saturday. An emergency orthodontist available on Saturdays for regular hours means more available care when you need it.
Typically, emergency orthodontists can:
- Perform emergency braces repair: Emergency braces repair includes repairing and replacing brackets, restoring broken wires, and resetting bands that have come loose
- Replace ligatures: The small rubber bands that hold the wire to the brackets can pop off and allow the wire to spring loose
- Address damage caused by traumatic injuries: Sports-related injuries to the mouth are one of the most common causes of visits to the emergency orthodontist
- Treat cracked, broken, or knocked out teeth: Knocked out teeth are a true dental emergency, and cracked or broken teeth are not far behind
In addition to dealing with the mechanics of the orthodontia and all associated appliances, most emergency orthodontists can also handle dental emergencies that could affect your oral health. Painful abscesses or a sudden onset of dental pain are a good reason to call an emergency orthodontist.
When to head to the emergency room
While an emergency orthodontist is a valuable resource to have in your community, it’s important to know when to head to the emergency room.
1. If you are experiencing bleeding that does not stop
Regardless of the cause, bleeding in the mouth that does not stop is a good reason to head to the emergency room, especially if you’ve already tried to reach your emergency orthodontist.
After certain kinds of dental work, some bleeding is normal but it should stop within 24 hours. Excessive bleeding that won’t stop could be serious.
2. If you have suffered certain types of traumatic injury
Any blow to the head or face can result in concussion.
If you are experiencing the signs of concussion after a traumatic injury that has also caused damage to your orthodontia, prioritize your brain and head to the ER. Your braces can wait.
3. If you have signs of infection
Some patients have underlying health conditions that can make them prone to infection after dental work.
Although orthodontia does not typically require any kind of wound opening in the mouth, if you experience fever, swelling, sharp pain, redness, any oozing in the mouth, or a general feeling of being unwell, head to the ER (or reach out to your regular doctor) if you’re unable to reach your emergency orthodontist.
While most orthodontic emergencies are not life-threatening, it’s nice to know you have someone to call on when you need help.
AZ Dentist your general family dentist with multiple locations across Phoenix, open late and on weekends. We are here when you need us for all of your emergency dental needs!
