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      • Aligners FAQs
    • Orthodontics
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      • Choosing an Orthodontist
      • When Should My Child See the Orthodontist?
      • Common Orthodontic Problems
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Life After Braces
      • Sleep Apnea
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  • Our Practice
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    • Orthodontics
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  • Our Practice
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    • Patient Testimonials
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      • Braces for Kids
      • Braces for Teens
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      • Braces Care
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      • Aligners for Adults
      • Aligners FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • TeleOrthodontics
      • Choosing an Orthodontist
      • When Should My Child See the Orthodontist?
      • Common Orthodontic Problems
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Life After Braces
      • Sleep Apnea
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Appointment Guidelines
    • Emergencies
    • Financial Options
    • Refer Our Office
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
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Smile Quote
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • The Dressler Difference
    • Meet Dr. Dressler
    • Meet Our Team
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Before & After
    • Community Involvement
  • Treatment
    • Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Braces for Kids
      • Braces for Teens
      • Braces for Adults
      • Braces Care
      • Braces FAQ
    • Aligners
      • Types of Aligners
      • Aligners for Teens
      • Aligners for Adults
      • Aligners FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • TeleOrthodontics
      • Choosing an Orthodontist
      • When Should My Child See the Orthodontist?
      • Common Orthodontic Problems
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Life After Braces
      • Sleep Apnea
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Appointment Guidelines
    • Emergencies
    • Financial Options
    • Refer Our Office
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
  • Free Consultation
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Emergencies

Home » Patient Resources » Emergencies

There are very few true orthodontic emergencies, but we are always available to help you. If you have a broken appliance or are experiencing intense pain, please call us as soon as possible. We will do our best to fit you into the schedule for an appointment. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call immediately to notify us that you need an appliance repaired.

Surprisingly, most orthodontic problems can be remedied at home. While you await your appointment, these guidelines will help you resolve minor problems. Please know that even if you alleviate the pain caused by your broken appliance, you still need a repair appointment.

Excessive Breakage

No breakage is our goal, however we understand that things can happen. Excessive breakage of brackets is what we discourage, so that treatment will progress as expected.
More than 3 broken brackets would be considered excessive and a conference will be scheduled with a parent to discuss additional fees.
We will communicate our concerns as soon as we see that a problem is starting to occur.

Lost Separator

Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but please call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.

Sore Teeth/Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment

Right after you get your braces, and sometimes after you have an adjustment appointment, your teeth and mouth will feel sore. To alleviate the pain, you may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. You can also gargle lukewarm saltwater, which is a mixture of one teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of water. A warm washcloth or a heating pad may also reduce the soreness in your jaws.

Wire Irritations

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 it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol.

Loose Bracket

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.

Loose Wire

Try putting the wire back in place using tweezers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If that does not work, try putting wax over the wire where it is poking you. If you have a situation where you must cut the wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Cut the wire behind the last bracket in which it is secured.

Headgear Doesn’t Fit

If your headgear is causing pain, it’s usually because it isn’t being worn long enough. Please adhere to your orthodontist’s instructions, and wear your headgear for the instructed amount of hours each day. If the face bow is bent, please call our office for an appointment. Do not try to adjust it yourself.

Free Consultation

Please fill out the information below, and one of our team members will contact you to schedule an appointment time. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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Chattanooga
  • 6820 Lee Hwy
    Chattanooga, TN 37421
  • (423) 894-6318
  • REVIEW US
South Pittsburg
  • 1904 S Cedar Ave
    South Pittsburg, TN 37380
  • (423) 894-6318
  • REVIEW US

What Our Patients Are Saying

Brianna S.
Literally had the best experience! Couldn’t ask for a better orthodontist.
Anna A.
Came in because I ate a chip and messed up my retainer. Dr Dressler’s and his assistants were amazing!!!! Shout out the girls in the back. Highly recommend this place! Thank you guys! 💕
Shoey R.
If I was to recommend anyone to get braces, I would tell them to come here! Love this crew and Dr. Dressler… also teeth came out amazing!
Kelly C.
Dr. Dresslers office is awesome, my Daugther’s braces were done by them and they did wonderful! My son just had his put on and I’m sure the results will be just as great! Highly recommend!
Mary B.
Wonderful group of people. Everyone was really nice and helpful. The place is very nice and clean.
Laura J.
The staff is super nice, they are very flexible with you if something happens. They get you in right away. We have had nothing but great experiences there.
Robert B.
This is our second child getting braces here and they are phenomenal again! Staff is always great! Dr Dressler really knows his stuff. He is quite funny as well. My kids love them! Well worth the money!
Sarah P.
Dr. Dressler and all of his staff are wonderful! Both my girls are current patients and we could not be happier with the service provided by Dressler Orthodontics.
Stephanie P.
This is our 2nd child added to Dr Dresser's office. We received a generous discount for having multiple children in braces thru his practice. At any time we were having problems making monthly payments we just had to call and they worked with whatever was best for us. I truly have never had a better experience with any medical or dental practices than with Dr Dresslers.
The S.
We immediately felt very welcomed by their staff. Dr. Dressler took the time to explain in detail what to expect over the next 2 years of this journey and quickly got us in for her appointment to put on her braces. An area where they truly excelled was their office manager took the time to call our insurance company and obtain all of the information including their her actual policy information since we had just changed companies and didn’t have the cards yet. She had in minutes what could’ve taken weeks potentially!! We also had established an expense account to go towards health costs and she helped us track that down with the utmost patience and diligence. I love the sense of family amongst the staff, and their office is very clean and love that they diffuse yummy smelling essential oils vs harsh scents; so being someone who’s very sensitive to chemicals, this made a good impression. My daughter loves her braces, ands they got us in immediately when we needed a quick repair . I know we made the right decision going with Dresslers office, and not knowing where to start, since we are brand new to the area and knew no one. A true gem and win!
Andrea G.
Being a prior patient with a “Dressler Smile”, I only wanted the best when it comes to my son. If excellent care by Dr Dressler and his staff wasn’t enough of a reason to come see him, the convenience of being able to text pictures of my sons teeth, and receive a quote on braces, check my insurance, schedule an appt, all on my lunch break at work would be my next reason to go here. 1st visit we were in and out with braces! It seems I never remember that I need to call and make an appt until I am at work which is inconvenient time to call, then try and look at my schedule, this takes out all of that hassle and puts my life back in my hands.
Hannah F.
Dr Dressler & staff are fantastic! We never have to wait long either, the staff is quick to respond if we need help after hours. This is our 3 set of braces (third patient) with in our household he has done!
Cannon W.
Everyone at Dr. Dressler’s office was amazing! Very clear with plans, instructions, and information. I’m so glad we chose them! My son really liked Bria. She was great with him, she’s awesome! Dr. Dressler took his time and explained the needs and what he looked to happen in the future.
Josslyn K.
Great place! Wonderful staff. They took my very shy and anxious kid and made her experience one that she raved about. Keep up the great work.
Marionnth “Maudi” D.
Dr. Dressier and his staff are amazing. My daughters felt comfortable and they guided us through the whole process.
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