Patient Info

 

Emergency Care

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies. Most problems can be remedied at home. However, if you have a situation that you can not resolve on your own, call us as soon as possible, so we can fit you in for a repair appointment. In the meantime, this page can help resolve minor problems you may encounter during your orthodontic treatment.

  • If your teeth are sore after a visit…You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth, heating pad, or warn salt water rinses may reduce the soreness in your jaws.

  • If your braces cause irritation…Try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move try covering the end of the wire with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with a nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol.

  • If the main wire or a bracket comes loose…First, call our office to see if the bracket needs to be re-fitted. If you have a situation where you must cut the wire or slide a bracket off the wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office on the next business day to schedule a repair appointment.

  • If a separator comes out…Call our office to see if it needs to be replaced. Some patients may lose a separator during treatment, which is common.

To Contact Our Office

If you have determined that you need to contact our office, please dial (989) 269-6811. If you receive our after business hours automated attendant, PLEASE listen to the complete message for further information on reaching our office staff after hours. You can also reach us via our contact page.

Our Policies

We are open to serve you, answer questions or schedule an appointment during the following hours:

Monday: 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM-5 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM-5 PM
Saturday: 8 AM-12 PM
Sunday: Closed

 

In order to ensure quality orthodontic care, we find it helpful if parents and patients understand the manner in which we schedule appointments. We value your time and make every effort to stay on schedule. We have put much effort and time into designing a scheduling system to serve our patient families and expedite treatment.

  • Please help us by arriving promptly for your appointment. If you are late, it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.

  • Longer appointments are scheduled only in the morning. By doing this, we can see the maximum number of patients in the afternoon.

  • Once appliances are placed, regular adjustment appointments will be once every 4-6 weeks.

  • Most missed appointments will be rescheduled during school hours. Due to our appointment rotation, it may be as long as 6 weeks before a “reappointment” is available, so please keep your regular appointment when possible.

  • Chronic missed appointments can extend treatment time.

  • In the case of emergencies such as pain, swelling or bleeding, we will arrange a “work-in” appointment. Please call as soon as you are aware that there is a problem.

  • Please keep your appointment ticket. Our call system can be interrupted by phone line repair or failed electricity due to storms.

Financial Policies

Orthodontic treatment is an excellent investment. We understand people have different needs in fulfilling their financial obligations, therefore we offer a range of payment options to help you afford this important health service.

  • A 5% discount is offered for payment in full.

  • We accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover. We can set up to “auto-charge” your account each month.

  • If you make payments, you pay for the records appointment, down payment and consecutive monthly payments. A payment book can be provided.

  • Insurance does not reduce or replace your down payment or monthly payments.

  • If insurance stops paying for any reason, any portion the insurance does not pay will become your responsibility.

  • If your insurance company requires that you use a “Network” provider, it is your responsibility to research that with your insurance company.

  • We will give you a receipt for “reimbursement accounts” but these companies will not allow us to file for reimbursement.

  • There will be a charge to replace broken or lost appliances.