Urgent Orthodontic Help from Dr. Vahid Babaeian, Board-Certified Orthodontist
What Is an Orthodontic Emergency?
An orthodontic emergency is any sudden issue with your braces or aligners that causes pain, discomfort, or treatment delays. This includes:
- Broken or loose brackets
- Poking wires
- Damaged or lost Invisalign trays
- Tooth pain or swelling from appliances
- Chipped teeth or lost fillings caused by appliances
Prompt care is essential to avoid complications and keep your treatment on track.
Emergency Care
Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but they can happen. Most issues fall into two categories: problems with your appliances or direct injuries to the mouth.
Appliance-Related Emergencies
Braces or appliances can occasionally break or bend. If you notice any of the following, please call our office during patient hours to schedule an appointment:
- Loose brackets or bands – These can usually stay in place until we see you. Call us to assess and reattach if needed.
- Broken or poking wires – Use a pencil eraser to gently bend the wire back, or carefully clip the end with clean nail clippers. Wax can also help reduce irritation.
- Irritating tie wires – Cover the wire with orthodontic wax or gently push it under the archwire using a Q-tip or pencil eraser.
Need a visual? Watch the video below to learn how to handle common orthodontic emergencies at home.
Injuries to the Mouth or Teeth
If you suffer a direct injury to your mouth or teeth—whether you’re wearing braces or not—ice the area immediately and contact your family dentist as soon as possible.
- An X-ray may be needed to assess any damage.
- If a tooth is knocked out, displaced, or fractured, your general dentist is best equipped to handle the situation first.
- After your dentist visit, contact our office if any braces or appliances are loose or damaged. We’ll adjust or replace them once you’re comfortable and cleared to proceed.
Who Needs Emergency Orthodontic Care?
Emergency services are available for:
- Current braces or Invisalign patients
- New out of state patients without current orthodontist with urgent tooth pain related to ortho or appliance damage
- Current patients with dental trauma (e.g. knocked-out or chipped teeth)
- After-hours emergency dental concerns for our current patients
Why Choose Brace Connection for Orthodontic Emergencies?
- Immediate Appointments during office hours Available: Fast care when you need it most—same-day visits during office hours for our current patients.
- Expert Emergency Dentist in Downey: Dr. Babaeian has 20+ years of experience managing urgent orthodontic and dental issues.
- High-Tech Diagnosis: In house Pano and Ceph X-ray machines in addition to iTero digital impressions for fast, precise appliance repair and planning.
- Affordable Emergency Care: For our current patients, most orthodontic emergency care is included in their treatment fee. However, when additional treatment needed, Insurance accepted + flexible financing options.
How the Invisalign for Kids Process Works
Step 1: Call for an Immediate Appointment
Contact us as soon as an issue occurs. We’ll guide you and get you in quickly during our office hours.
Step 2: Pano/ Ceph Digital X-rays, Digital Scan & Assessment
When indicated, we’ll evaluate the problem using digital imaging and identify the fastest, safest fix.
Step 3: Treatment
We’ll repair or replace broken appliances, relieve pain, and coordinate any urgent dental procedures (like chipped or knocked-out teeth) with your general dentist.
Step 4: Aftercare & Monitoring
We’ll give you care instructions and schedule a follow-up to ensure everything’s back on track.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Orthodontic Emergency FAQ – Downey, CA
Q1: What should I do if a bracket breaks or a wire is poking me?
Call us right away to schedule an urgent repair. Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp edges until you’re seen.
Q2: What if I have tooth pain or swelling?
This could be due to a broken appliance or infection. Call immediately—we offer same-day appointments for pain relief and emergency care.
Q3: Do you offer after-hours emergency dental care?
Yes. For our current patients, call our office for after-hours instructions. We may connect you with an emergency dentist in Downey or see you first thing the next working day.
Q4: Can you help with chipped teeth, lost fillings, or knocked-out teeth?
Yes. For our current patients, we coordinate with emergency dentists to handle trauma, then adjust or repair any affected orthodontic appliances.
Q5: What’s the cost of orthodontic emergency treatment?
Costs vary by case. However, most emergency orthodontic care is included in your treatment fee. If additional dental work is needed by a general dentist or specialist, we can refer you to one of our dental colleagues who offer affordable emergency dental care in Downey, accept most insurance plans, and some provide financing.
Q6: What emergency services do you provide?
- Braces and aligner repairs
- Adjustments for broken appliances
- Pain relief and urgent orthodontic care
- Retainer replacements
- Appliance reattachments or replacements
Book Your Emergency Appointment Now
Don’t wait—orthodontic problems can get worse fast.
Call (562) 861-7259 for same-day emergency orthodontic care during office hours at Brace Connection in Downey, CA. Fast Relief. Expert Care. No Delays.