Orthodontist Emergency Care in Northbrook, IL
If a bracket comes loose, a wire is poking, or an appliance is causing pain, call Janzen & Chwa Orthodontics at (847) 272-0600 during office hours and we will schedule a repair, usually the same day for our own patients. Most orthodontic problems can be made comfortable at home until you can be seen.
True orthodontic emergencies are rare. Most of what worries patients at nine o’clock at night is uncomfortable rather than dangerous, and there is almost always something you can do in the meantime. Here is how to tell the difference, and what to do in each case.
What Counts as an Orthodontic Emergency?
Two categories, and they are handled very differently.
Appliance problems. A broken bracket, a loose band, a wire that has slipped and is jabbing your cheek, a broken retainer, a headgear that no longer fits. These are the common ones. They need attention, but rarely tonight.
Injuries to the mouth or teeth. A fall, a sports collision, a knocked-out or displaced tooth. These are genuine emergencies, and your first call is to your general dentist or an emergency dental service, not to us. Once the tooth has been dealt with, we repair or replace whatever orthodontic work was disturbed.
What to Do Right Now
A wire is poking your cheek. Cover the end with orthodontic wax. If wax is not to hand, a small piece of damp cotton works. You can also nudge the wire flat with the eraser end of a pencil. Call us and we will trim it.
A bracket has come loose but is still on the wire. Leave it in place and cover it with wax if it is rubbing. Removing it yourself makes the repair harder. Call us.
A bracket or band has come off completely. Put it in an envelope and bring it to your appointment. Do not try to reattach it.
A wire has come out of a bracket. Guide it back with tweezers or the eraser end of a pencil. If it will not go, tie it out of the way with dental floss or cover the sharp end with wax.
Your teeth are sore after an adjustment. Normal for a few days. An over-the-counter pain reliever, soft food and a warm salt water rinse all help.
Headgear does not fit or hurts. Usually this means it has not been worn as prescribed and the teeth have shifted back. Call us, and do not try to straighten a bent facebow yourself.
A retainer is broken or lost. Call us and stop wearing the broken one. Teeth move quickly, so do not leave this for a month. Our retainers page explains what happens next.
When to Call Us Immediately
Call without waiting if there is significant swelling, if a wire has punctured the cheek or gum rather than scratched it, if a patient in an appliance has had a blow to the face, or if severe pain is not settling with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Everything else can usually be made comfortable at home and repaired at the next available visit. If it is outside office hours and the patient is in pain, call (847) 272-0600 and follow the voicemail instructions.
Repairs Are Part of Your Treatment Fee
Repair and emergency visits are included in the treatment fee quoted at the start. There is never a financial reason to leave a broken bracket in place. Our payment plans page sets out what the fee covers.
Preventing Most of This
Most appliance emergencies come from food and from habits. Hard and sticky foods break brackets, and so does chewing pens, ice and fingernails. Our living with braces page has the full list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Emergencies
Is there such a thing as an emergency orthodontist?
Not in the sense of a walk-in clinic. Orthodontic practices, including ours, keep repair time available and see their own patients quickly, usually the same day. Genuine trauma to the mouth or teeth goes to a dentist or an emergency dental service first.
Can I go to a different orthodontist if I am away from home?
Yes, for an urgent repair. Most practices will help a travelling patient with a poking wire or a loose bracket. Tell them who is treating you, and let us know afterwards so we can check the work at your next visit.
How long can I leave a broken bracket?
A few days is usually fine, and a few weeks isn’t. A bracket that is not attached is not moving that tooth, so treatment quietly stalls. Call us when it happens rather than waiting for your scheduled visit.
Do I need to come in for soreness after an adjustment?
No. Tenderness for two or three days after an adjustment is the teeth moving, which is the point. Soreness that is severe, one-sided, or still worsening after several days is worth a call.
Call Us
Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am to noon. We are closed Wednesdays. Call or text (847) 272-0600. We are at 1220 Meadow Rd, Ste 300, Northbrook, IL 60062.