Most problems in orthodontics are of the type involving a loose brace or poking wire. Many of these do not require immediate care, though we are always available to see you during our regular business hours. In any case, you should contact our office so we can schedule an appointment to fix the problem.

If you have a more serious problem and have trouble reaching our office on either a holiday or off hours, you can contact your family dentist or the Dental Emergency Services at (416) 485-7121 located at 1650 Yonge Street.

The following are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office:

• If a tie-wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with wax or tuck it under the archwire using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or Q-tip.
• A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until you are seen in our office.
• A bent headgear, lip bumper, or removable appliance that is not fitting well should not to be worn until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Be certain to bring the appliance to your repair appointment.
• See attachment for some visual aids (pdf: problems with braces

If you are a patient of Dr. Shapiro and feel there is a true emergency that requires Dr. Shapiro to see you before the next business day, please email: emergency@mybraces.ca and be sure to leave a detailed email message including the patients first and last name, your name, the specific nature of the problem and a phone number where you can be reached. Unless all of this information is provided including a description of the problem, we will not be able to respond.