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1320 Stratford Rd SE

Decatur, AL 35601
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Orthodontic Emergencies

Patient Education Quick Links

J.M.

Dr. Leach did a magnificent job on my teeth. He did some bonding to fill in some spaces and my teeth look just perfect. I am completely happy with the great job he did! He also did the work with no discomfort whatsoever and without even numbing. I was very comfortable the whole time.

J.M.

D.D.

After recent orthodontic treatment I ended up with black triangles between my lower front teeth. After doing some research online, I found out that Dr. Leach was a certified Bioclear Doctor. I drove 7 hours to have him treat my lower black triangles. I am beyond happy with the job he did! So worth the trip! Thank you so much for the beautiful outcome and the stress free and pain free experience!

D.D.

C.R.

Wow, my dental appointments were actually looked at as a pleasant experience, since Dr. Leach and his staff are so capable and sincere – and there was no discomfort as one usually expects.

C.R.

Stephanie R.

Today I have a smile I am confident in. I chose Bioclear because it does not damage the teeth and it can be done in one appointment. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Leach and his staff. He listened to me and customized the treatment to my liking.

Stephanie R.

K.H.

My family and I have been a client of Dr. Steven Leach for 13 years. He has been a very positive influence concerning oral health. After consulting with Dr. Leach concerning a very crooked front tooth, he advised me and we came to the conclusion that we need to crown the teeth. His staff was encouraging, very kind and helpful with the decisions that needed to be made. Dr. Leach took great care to make sure that everything went according to plan. When it was time to fit the new teeth he was meticulous and the outcome was beyond my wildest hopes. For the first time I had a smile that I could really be proud of. Dr. Leach’s expertise, his excellent staff, and the lab made what could have been a harrowing experience a very enjoyable one.
Thank you Dr. Leach, “She said with a smile”!

K.H.

K.S.

Dr. Leach and his staff accommodated me on short notice to help fix my chipped tooth. The tooth looks GREAT! Dr. Leach uses the latest techniques in dentistry and I am extremely happy to call him my dentist.

K.S.

Katie W.

Dear Dr. Leach,  I just wanted to tell you thank you for my beautiful veneers! I love them and get compliments on them all the time. Thank you again!

Katie W.

P.K.

Thank you all for your great service, kind care, and sweet attitudes. I love being your patient, blessings!

P.K.

Traci S.

Thank you for everything leading up to and the day of my visit for Bioclear. I’m so happy with the results from the procedure and I appreciate all of the information everyone provided during the process. Thanks so much to you, Dr. Leach, for investing your time and talents in making this procedure available in our state. I’m very grateful for all of the kindness and care everyone gave to me. The office visits, phone conversations, and really all of my interactions with your office were very positive and put me at ease. Thank you so much for all that you all do!

Traci S.

Orthodontics often take some adjustment (pun intended). It’s pretty common to experience some soreness when orthodontics are first applied and after subsequent adjustments. However, actual orthodontic emergencies are rare (thankfully).

If you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency (or think you may be) determining the severity of the situation is of the utmost priority. Is it urgent? Does it require immediate attention? Is it something you can handle on your own? Can it wait until you come into the office?

Orthodontic Emergencies

A Major Orthodontic Emergency

There are only a few true orthodontic emergencies. They are:

  • Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth or face
  • Severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas

If you’re experiencing any of these, seek help immediately (go to the emergency room if that’s the best option).

Generally speaking, though, the place to start will be at the dental office. For example, a fractured tooth, requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. Your orthodontic treatment can be adjusted accordingly. Pain or swelling may be a sign of infection or disease, and should also treated as soon as possible by Dr. Leach’s team.

Minor Orthodontic Issues

Most orthodontic problems are minor. They do often cause pain or discomfort, however. The best approach is usually to treat the discomfort and make an appointment to visit the office as soon as possible. Some of these issues (and temporary treatments) include:

Loose or broken orthodontia

This is usually the result of eating hard or sticky food (candy, for example). If the band or bracket remains attached to the wire, leave it as it is (but don’t connect any bands or elastics). If it’s causing irritation to the inside of your mouth, cover it with some orthodontic wax. In the event that the bracket or band has come off, save. In either case, call the office as soon as possible and let Dr. Leach’s team advise you.

Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket or tie

The archwire (the wire connecting brackets and/or bands) can sometimes start to irritate the inside of the mouth as the teeth start to move. You can try to move the wire into a more comfortable position using a pencil eraser or Q-tip. You can also try cutting the end of the wire with a nail clipper that’s been sterilized in alcohol. Tweezers may be used to try and reposition the problematic wire. In any of these cases, please call Steven Leach Dental for guidance and advice.

General pain or tooth loosening

During orthodontic treatment, teeth are slowly being moved. So, slight loosening of the teeth is normal. This movement can be accompanied by tenderness (this is normal). Especially right after the braces have been installed or adjusted. Over the counter pain relievers are good for minor soreness or tenderness. Rinsing twice a day with salt water may also help (mix one teaspoon of salt with 8 oz. of warm water. Rinse for 30 seconds). Sometimes a warm washcloth or heating pad can help ease pain as well.

Again, orthodontic emergencies are rare, but do occur. Dr. Leach’s goal is to make your orthodontic treatment as pain free as possible. Contact us to schedule your appointment.