Orthodontic Emergency Care in Kent, WA

Most orthodontic issues - a poking wire, a loose bracket - aren’t true emergencies and can be eased at home until our Kent team can see you. A true emergency involves pain that home care can’t relieve, or a significant mouth injury. For dental trauma, call your family dentist first, then call us.

Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but we know they can feel stressful - especially for parents. The good news: most issues can be handled comfortably at home until our team at Advanced Orthodontics Kent can see you. Whether it’s a poking wire, a loose bracket, or an unexpected injury, we’re here to help you stay calm, take the right steps, and keep treatment moving forward.

What If My Child Injures Their Mouth?

Accidents happen - a fall during sports, a collision, a knock to the face. Right away: apply ice to reduce swelling, contact your family dentist first (especially if a tooth is fractured, displaced, or knocked out), and call our office so we can guide you and plan next steps. Why the dentist first? Dental injuries often require anesthesia or restorative materials that orthodontic offices don’t carry. Once your dentist evaluates the tooth, our team steps in to repair or adjust any orthodontic appliances that were loosened - coordinating closely with your dentist so everything heals properly.

What If an Appliance Breaks?

Braces are strong, but a wire can bend, a bracket can loosen, or a band can pop off. These usually aren’t emergencies, but don’t ignore them: call our office during patient hours to schedule a repair, let us know ahead if you already have an upcoming appointment, and avoid walk-ins (repairs need specific scheduling). At-home tips: cover an irritating wire with orthodontic wax or gently press it back with a pencil eraser; a loose band or bracket can usually stay put temporarily - don’t pull on it; a poking archwire can sometimes be tucked in or trimmed with clean nail clippers if it’s sticking out significantly - then call us to check the area.

What Counts as a True Emergency?

A true orthodontic emergency usually involves pain that home care can’t relieve - for example, a wire causing a painful sore that can’t be covered, a broken bracket or appliance cutting the cheek or gums, or a significant injury to the mouth or teeth. If your child is uncomfortable or can’t sleep because of an appliance issue, we want to know right away. For everyday wire and bracket care between visits, see caring for your braces.

After Office Hours

If you have an urgent, painful problem outside regular hours, call our main number and follow the prompts for an orthodontic emergency - the doctor or clinical technician on call will be paged to respond. Even if we can’t fully resolve it after hours, we’ll guide you through temporary solutions and next steps until we can see you.

When Should I Call?

Contact our office if something feels loose or out of place, a wire is poking and painful, an injury has occurred, your child can’t wear their appliances properly, or you’re simply unsure whether something is normal. No question is too small - call us at (253) 852-7210.

Have an Orthodontic Concern? Call Us

If something feels off, don’t wait - call Advanced Orthodontics Kent at (253) 852-7210 and we’ll guide you. We’re at 331 3rd Ave S in downtown Kent, serving Kent and the surrounding communities.