Orthodontic emergencies

Orthodontic emergency? Start here

Most orthodontic appliance problems are uncomfortable or inconvenient rather than dangerous, but they can still ruin a school day, weekend, or meal.

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This page covers appliance problems: a broken bracket, a poking wire, a lost aligner or retainer. If a bracket breaks, a wire starts poking, an aligner disappears, or something simply feels wrong, call SmileWorks in Tallahassee at (850) 765-3748. We will help you decide whether it needs an office visit or can be managed safely until the next appointment. For a knocked-out or broken tooth, a toothache, swelling, or a mouth injury, go to our pediatric dental emergency page.

After hours, and how fast repairs happen

SmileWorks has an after-hours on-call person, so a call outside office hours still reaches someone who can tell you what to do. Depending on severity, appliance repairs are typically seen the same day or the next business day. We also coach patients on avoiding emergencies in the first place and provide orthodontic wax.

Broken or loose bracket

If a bracket comes loose but is still attached to the wire, leave it in place if possible and use orthodontic wax if it is rubbing the cheek or lip.

Call our office so we can determine whether it should be repaired promptly or can wait until the next scheduled visit.

Poking or broken wire

A wire that shifts can irritate the cheek or gums. Orthodontic wax can temporarily cover the irritating area.

Do not aggressively cut or pull on the appliance unless our team specifically advises you to do so. Call us and we will walk you through the safest next step.

Lost aligner

If an Invisalign or clear-aligner tray is lost, do not automatically skip ahead several trays. Depending on where you are in the sequence, your orthodontist may want you to return to the previous tray, move forward, or replace the missing one.

Call before guessing.

Lost or broken retainer

A lost retainer is not usually an emergency in the medical sense, but it is worth addressing quickly because teeth can begin to move. Contact us for guidance and replacement options; our retainers page explains what happens next.

Mouth injury while wearing braces

If a patient is hit in the mouth, check first for significant bleeding, displaced teeth, facial injury, loss of consciousness, or other signs of trauma.

For severe facial injury, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, or a possible head injury, seek emergency medical care first. Then contact SmileWorks for dental and orthodontic follow-up. Injured or knocked-out teeth are handled by our pediatric dental team; see pediatric dental emergencies.

Severe swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing

Those symptoms may represent a dental or medical emergency rather than an orthodontic appliance problem. Call us for guidance, and seek urgent medical care when symptoms are severe or involve breathing or swallowing.

FAQ

Questions families ask

Is a broken bracket an emergency?

Usually it is not dangerous, but it should be reported so your orthodontic team can determine whether it needs repair before the next visit.

What can I put on a poking wire?

Orthodontic wax can provide temporary relief while you contact the office for instructions.

What should I do if I lose an Invisalign tray?

Call before moving to another aligner. The right step depends on where you are in the treatment sequence.

What if my child has a dental injury and braces?

Call SmileWorks. Significant facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, head injury, or breathing difficulty should be evaluated urgently in an emergency setting first.

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