Orthodontic Emergency Care in Hershey and the Harrisburg Area

Call us first at (717) 533-7400. Most orthodontic problems, including a loose bracket or a poking wire, have a safe temporary fix you can do at home, and they do not need an emergency room. True emergencies are severe pain that does not ease, facial swelling, bleeding, or injury to the teeth.

Real orthodontic emergencies are uncommon. Something going wrong with your braces at an inconvenient moment is not.

Most of what happens during treatment falls into two groups: a problem with an appliance, or an injury to the teeth or mouth. They are handled differently, so knowing which you have tells you what to do next.

Below is what to do for each, what you can safely fix yourself, and when to call us. If you are unsure, call. Working out whether something is urgent is our job, not yours.

Is This an Emergency?

Call us straight away if you have:

Severe pain that is not improving
Swelling in the face or jaw
Bleeding that will not stop
An injury to a tooth, whether or not you are in braces

These are important but not urgent, and can usually wait for an appointment:

A loose or detached bracket
A poking or displaced wire
A broken or damaged appliance
General soreness after an adjustment

An emergency room cannot repair braces. Hospitals are not equipped for it. Use the ER only for serious dental trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or significant facial injury.

Appliance Problems, and What to Do Right Now

Poking ligature wire. Cover it with orthodontic wax for relief. If you need to, gently tuck it under the main archwire using a clean pencil eraser, the back of a spoon, or a cotton bud.

Loose bracket. Leave it where it is and try not to play with it. Call us so we can book the repair and keep your treatment on schedule.

Broken or poking archwire. Cover it with orthodontic wax. You can gently bend it back with a clean pencil eraser. If it is long enough to be dangerous, carefully trim it with clean nail clippers. Then call us.

All repairs are by appointment. We do not take walk-ins, because a repair needs the right time set aside and the right instruments ready. Call as early in the day as you can and we will fit you in as soon as we can, often the same day.

Injuries to the Teeth or Mouth

If a tooth is knocked out, fractured or pushed out of position, whether or not you are in braces:

Apply ice immediately to limit swelling and discomfort.
Call your general dentist first, not us. They can examine the injury, take X-rays and treat the tooth itself.
Then call us. If your braces or appliances were damaged, we will repair or adjust them once your dentist has dealt with the injury.

This order matters. Your dentist has the tools and the anesthetic for treating an injured tooth; we have the tools for the appliance on it.

After Hours

If you are in significant discomfort outside office hours, call (717) 533-7400. Our voicemail explains how to reach the on-call team member for guidance.

Our hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Wednesday and Friday, and 9 AM to 1 PM on Thursday.

If You Are Driving in From Harrisburg or Further

Most of our patients come from outside Hershey, some of them 20 minutes or more, so a poking wire is a different problem for them than for someone five minutes away.

Call before you drive. We can usually tell in a couple of minutes whether your problem has a safe temporary fix or genuinely needs the chair. That saves a wasted trip, and it means when you do come in, we are ready for you.

We regularly see urgent problems for patients traveling from Harrisburg, Lebanon, Annville, Elizabethtown, Middletown, Palmyra and Hummelstown.

We also help visitors passing through. Hershey draws a lot of people from out of the area, and appliances do not check the calendar. One family traveling through recently had a problem with a child’s unusual appliance, and we were able to fit them in the same day. If you are visiting and something has gone wrong, call us.

Call Us Before You Worry

Korch Orthodontics · 357 West Governor Road, Hershey, PA 17033 · (717) 533-7400

Not currently our patient? We will still talk you through what to do. Request an appointment or see our contact page for directions and hours.

Orthodontic Emergency FAQs

Orthodontic emergencies can feel overwhelming, but most situations are manageable at home with the right guidance. These frequently asked questions will help you know what to do, what to avoid, and when to reach out to us-we’re always happy to help. With a few simple steps, you can stay calm, protect your smile, and keep your treatment moving forward.

How do I know if my problem is a true emergency?

Severe pain that is not easing, facial swelling, bleeding, or trauma to a tooth all count and should be seen promptly. Problems with brackets, wires or appliances are important but not dangerous, and can normally wait for a scheduled repair.

Should I go to the emergency room?

Not for a braces problem. Hospital emergency rooms cannot repair orthodontic appliances. Use the ER for severe dental trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or significant facial injury. For anything else, call us and we will guide you.

Should I keep wearing my elastics if something breaks?

Usually pause them. If a bracket, post or wire is damaged, elastics can pull against a compromised attachment and make things worse. Call us and we will tell you whether to stop or continue.

What should I keep in a home emergency kit?

Orthodontic wax, clean nail clippers, a pencil eraser, clean tweezers and an over-the-counter pain reliever. That handles most minor problems until we see you. Save our number in your phone while you are at it.

Can I travel while I am in treatment?

Yes, and most patients do without any trouble. Take orthodontic wax, a pain reliever, and your aligner case and any spare aligners if you are in clear aligners. If you have a trip coming up, mention it at your next visit and we will check nothing is due while you are away.