Emergency Care

From time to time, problems will arise during orthodontic treatment. Don’t panic! If something becomes loose or broken, save any pieces that you may have in an envelope and give our office a call during office hours for an appointment. If you have an after-hours emergency that requires immediate attention, you can call our after-hours line at (817) 692-2529. Dr. McReynolds, Dr. Gopffarth, or one of their assistants will reach out to you shortly after.

Types of Emergencies

• Loose Bracket or Band: This usually isn’t painful, but if so, call us when the office is open and we can schedule a time to fix the problem. If it’s close to your next appointment, let us know ahead of time that you will need a repair.
• Lost Elastic Tie (Colors): Colored rubber rings are sometimes placed around the brackets for decoration. If the color comes off a bracket, this can usually wait until the next appointment.
• Lost Hook: From time to time, elastics may cause your hook to slip or fall out. Give us a call during normal business hours and we can arrange for a new hook to be added.
• Lost Spacers: If a spacer falls out and your appointment is within 48 hours, don’t worry about it. If your appointment is more than two days out, try replacing it with floss. If you are unable to replace it, call for an appointment and we can replace it for you.
• Wire Poke: Occasionally, a wire can begin to stick out of the back bracket as the teeth begin to move. Use wax to create a cushion over your braces when you feel sore spots. If you’re still in pain over the night or weekend, give us a call when the office is open to schedule an appointment.
• Soreness or Loose Teeth: if your teeth begin feeling loose, this is normal! Your braces must loosen your teeth first in order to move them into the right position. Once your teeth are in the right place, they will no longer be loose. The tenderness that you experience from braces typically lasts 48-72 hours and is most noticeable when eating. You can switch to soft foods, and take ibuprofen (Advil or Children’s Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve the discomfort.

Facial Trauma

If you experience a traumatic injury to the face or head during orthodontic treatment, please consult with a physician first to rule out a concussion or any other more serious injuries. Please call our office to help determine if any injuries have occurred to the jawbones or teeth.