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Most orthodontic "emergencies" are not actually emergencies - they're urgent inconveniences. Either way, Stellar Orthodontics gets you in quickly. Call (844) 727-2237 and we'll triage by phone and bring you into the closest of our four Delaware offices for repair. New to Stellar? We help non-patients in active orthodontic treatment too - just call.
Stay calm. Almost everything that feels like a crisis in the moment is actually category 2 or 3 below - an urgent inconvenience, not danger to your teeth or appliances. Here's how to think about it.
Severe facial trauma, knocked-out tooth, severe uncontrolled bleeding, severe uncontrolled pain, or significant tissue injury from an appliance. Go to the nearest emergency room first. Once you're stable, call Stellar at (844) 727-2237 so we can coordinate follow-up orthodontic care.
True orthodontic emergencies are rare. If you're not sure whether it qualifies, call us first - we can usually tell within a 30-second phone call.
Loose bracket, broken bracket, broken or displaced wire causing tissue injury, lost retainer, severely warped retainer, severe discomfort from an adjustment. Call Stellar at (844) 727-2237. We'll bring you in to the closest office within 1 to 3 business days for the repair.
In the meantime, use orthodontic wax over any sharp edge, take over-the-counter pain relief if needed, and stick to soft foods.
Mild soreness after an adjustment, minor irritation, food caught in braces, an elastic that came off, a single broken ligature (the small rubber band around a bracket). No emergency call needed. Mention it at your next scheduled adjustment visit and we'll handle it.
Most patients are surprised how many "emergencies" fit in this category. Saltwater rinses, soft foods, and patience handle most of it.
The bracket has come unbonded from the tooth, often after biting something too hard. If it's still attached to the wire, leave it alone - don't pull it off. Cover any sharp edge with orthodontic wax. Call Stellar and we'll book a repair visit within a few business days.
If the bracket has come completely off, save it in a small container (a contact lens case works) and bring it to the repair appointment.
The wire has shifted and is now poking the inside of the cheek or lip. First defense: orthodontic wax (provided at your braces placement). Roll a small ball of wax and press it over the end of the wire to form a soft buffer.
If the wax won't hold or the wire is severely displaced, call Stellar. A temporary at-home fix: a clean pencil eraser can gently push the wire away from the cheek - do not bend the wire with metal tools.
Call Stellar as soon as you realize it's gone. Wearing retainers consistently is what keeps your smile from relapsing. A long gap can let teeth start shifting back toward their pre-treatment positions.
We can usually fit you in for new retainer impressions within a few days. Replacement retainers are typically a private-pay flat rate. Lost retainer for a Medicaid patient still in active retention? Call us - we walk through the options.
Not an emergency. Call Stellar - depending on where you are in the tray sequence, we'll either advance you to the next tray early or order a replacement. Invisalign Teen patients have replacement aligners included in the package, so the lost-tray cost is built into your treatment plan.
In the meantime, wear your previous tray (the one before the lost one) to keep your teeth in their current position until you can resume.
Some soreness for 2 to 3 days after a wire change or adjustment is normal - especially in the first few months of treatment. Over-the-counter pain relief, soft foods, and saltwater rinses handle most of it.
Soreness lasting longer than a week, or pain that's severe and localized to a single tooth, warrants a call. We can examine the area at the closest Stellar office.
Knocked-out permanent tooth is a true emergency. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and go to the nearest emergency room or your general dentist immediately. If you can't reposition it, transport the tooth in milk or saliva.
Once you're stable, call Stellar to coordinate any orthodontic adjustments needed around the injury.
If you're in active orthodontic treatment with another practice and visiting Delaware for vacation, work, or college, Stellar can handle most orthodontic emergencies for you. We bond a loose bracket, clip a poking wire, or fit a temporary repair so you can finish your trip comfortably and get back to your home orthodontist.
A true orthodontic emergency is rare. True emergencies include severe trauma to the face or jaw, severe uncontrolled pain, or significant tissue injury. Go to the nearest emergency room first, then call Stellar. Most other issues are urgent inconveniences handled at your Stellar office within a few business days.
Stay calm. Not an emergency. If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it alone and call Stellar to schedule a repair visit within a few business days. If it has come completely off, save it in a small container. Use orthodontic wax over any sharp edge in the meantime.
Cover the end of the wire with a small ball of orthodontic wax. If the wax doesn't hold or the wire is severely displaced, call Stellar. Temporary at-home fix only: the end of a clean pencil eraser can gently push the wire away - do not bend the wire with metal tools.
Call Stellar as soon as you realize it's lost. Wearing retainers consistently is what keeps your smile stable. We can usually get you in for new impressions within a few days. Replacement retainers are typically private-pay at a transparent flat rate.
Not an emergency. Call Stellar - we'll either advance you to your next tray early or order a replacement. Invisalign Teen patients have replacement aligners included.
Call Stellar at (844) 727-2237 first - we triage by phone and bring you into the closest of our four offices (North Wilmington, Middletown, West Dover, Millsboro) for repair. For true medical emergencies (facial trauma, severe pain), go to the nearest emergency room first.