Emergency Orthodontist — Atlanta, GA
The Help You Need Right Away
While most patients receive orthodontic work smoothly, accidents can (and do) happen. There’s always a slight chance that you or your child will have an urgent treatment-related issue. That said, you needn’t panic if such a problem occurs; just see your emergency orthodontist here in Atlanta! The team at Buckhead Orthodontics will gladly help you and get your smile back on track. For further details, please keep reading or book a same-day visit now!
Why Choose Buckhead Orthodontics for Emergency Orthodontic Care?
- ABO-Certified Orthodontist
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Locally-Owned Orthodontic Office
What to Do in an Orthodontic Emergency
As unfamiliar as it may be, you don’t need to worry about your orthodontic emergency. We’ll gladly walk you through what to do for this kind of problem. In particular, please remember to do the following:
- Make a Phone Call – Many orthodontic emergencies aren’t as dire as they appear, so your first move should be to call our office. A member of our team can outline how to handle your situation, suggesting tips that meet your needs. They may advise that you use (or apply) dental wax, saltwater rinses, pain relievers, etc.
- Schedule a Visit – Should your problem require more help, we’ll schedule an appointment for you during the phone call. This visit might even occur on the same day you contacted us if the issue is severe. As for the session’s exact timing, it’ll depend on your emergency’s intensity.
- Get Needed Care – In general, our practice quickly, easily, and affordably solves orthodontic emergencies. However, you may need a follow-up visit if new parts must be ordered. If the emergency stems from a prior health issue or tooth damage, we may refer you to your local dentist. In contrast, go to your local ER directly if your jaw has been broken or dislocated.
The Most Common Orthodontic Emergencies
Since orthodontic emergencies are quite real (if rare), you should always see us when they occur. Our team has the resources, experience, and knowledge to address such issues quickly. Just know that you can also take steps to handle these problems before your final visit. To do so, simply click on one (or more) of the icons below and use the related instructions:
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Orthodontic Care
Our team in Atlanta will provide instructions to help you maintain your smile and orthodontics throughout your treatment, but there’s no guarantee you won't have an emergency.
It’s natural to wonder how much your emergency visit might cost, and we’re happy to provide a detailed estimate after we’ve had a chance to examine your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Continue reading to learn how pricing is determined and how our office helps make emergency services more affordable!
Every Orthodontic Emergency is Unique
There are many reasons you might require a same-day visit to our office in Atlanta, and we unfortunately cannot provide a quote for your emergency appointment until we can determine the extent of the harm done and what’s needed to repair it.
For instance, a dislodged bracket can often be re-cemented to your enamel relatively easily. However, other, more serious concerns might require more complex or costly repairs. Our team will share a detailed estimate for your approval before proceeding.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Orthodontic Emergencies?
Some dental insurance plans do include coverage for orthodontic emergencies. However, policies vary, and there are no guarantees, so you may want to review your details to confirm what’s included.
If you need assistance finding the information or submitting claims or other forms, please let our friendly office staff know. We’re familiar with various insurance providers and are happy to help you maximize your available benefits.
Other Options for Making Orthodontic Emergency Visits Affordable
Our office proudly accepts many major insurance plans to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for everything from routine follow-up visits to orthodontic emergencies, but we understand that not all patients have coverage.
If you’re concerned about paying for the treatments required to address your urgent issue, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- In-House Membership Plan. We offer our own membership plan with interest-free, flexible payment schedules to help you afford orthodontic services, which may be applied to emergency exams, imaging, or other urgent care needs.
- Flexible Financing. We also gladly accept payment plans through CareCredit. If your application is approved, you can divide the total cost of your visit into more manageable installments paid over a designated period.
The Value of Preventive Orthodontic Care
Although some orthodontic emergencies occur due to unavoidable accidents that are outside of your control, many common issues result from problems that can be prevented. That means taking the proper precautions can help preserve your oral health, avoid complications, and keep you on track with your treatment timeline, to help protect your investment.
As soon as you become aware of an orthodontic issue, please contact our office. The longer you wait to be seen, the more likely you are to develop additional damage, injuries, decay, or disease that may require costly procedures to address!
How to Prevent Orthodontic Emergencies
When it comes to having a healthy, beautiful smile, it’s always a better choice to prevent orthodontic emergencies today rather than fix one after the fact. The great news is that by investing in a few check-ups and healthy habits, you can save a lot of time, money and stress later by minimizing your risk of an unexpected orthodontic emergency right now!
Stay on Track with Your Orthodontic Check-ins
Visiting your orthodontist for your regular check-ins can help keep your treatment on schedule and allows your orthodontist to stop any emerging problems as early as possible, or better yet, preventing them from occurring in the first place.
In conjunction with your routine orthodontic check-ins, be sure to continue visiting your dentist every six months for your regular preventive exams and cleanings. While your orthodontist can keep an eye on the positioning of your teeth, your dentist can help keep them free of plaque, so they don’t develop cavities and gum disease while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Brushing and flossing every day is essential for removing dangerous particles and oral bacteria that could lead to cavities and infection. As important as this is when you’re not undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is almost more so when you are.
That’s because orthodontic equipment like wires and brackets can easily trap food and plaque, increasing your risk of bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. In fact, even if you wear clear aligners, you should still maintain excellent oral hygiene, as your trays can prevent saliva from rinsing these particles away from your teeth and trap them in place for extended periods.
Thus, be sure to follow your orthodontist’s specific care instructions for keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy during orthodontic treatment and consider investing in some specialized tools like a water flosser, flossing tools, and braces brushes to make cleaning them easier and more efficient.
Be Careful with Your Diet
When you get braces, your orthodontist will provide you with a list of foods you should avoid during treatment. Be sure to eliminate these from your diet until your braces come off, as they could damage your brackets and wires and set your treatment timeline back.
While you may not have any dietary restrictions with aligners, it is still important to be careful not to eat while your trays are in, as this can damage them and slow your treatment progress.
Protect Your Pearly Whites with a Mouthguard
Do you play sports or grind your teeth? Just because you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment doesn’t mean your teeth are safe from damage caused by bruxism or athletics. If either of these situations apply to you, speak to your orthodontist about having a custom-made orthodontic mouthguard made. These appliances are specifically designed to protect your smile and your orthodontic equipment.
Remember: Your Teeth Aren’t Tools!
Your teeth were designed to help you eat a variety of nutritious, delicious foods to keep your body healthy and strong. They were not designed to open packaging, containers, or bottles. Doing this not only wears down your enamel, but it can also cause chips, cracks, and tooth loss. Thus, never use your teeth as tools. Instead, take a moment to find an appropriate tool such as a box cutter, bottle opener, or scissors. This will not only protect your teeth and gums, but it will also keep your orthodontic equipment free of accidental damage that could slow your treatment progress.
Traditional Braces EvoAligners Invisalign Clear Aligners Phase 1 Pediatric Orthodontics Adult Orthodontics Retainers & Oral Appliances Dentofacial Orthopedics PROPEL Accelerated Orthodontics View Our Services