Emergency Orthodontist in Shelby Township
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.
Is This an Emergency?
Most orthodontic issues that feel like emergencies are not true medical or dental emergencies, and they can usually be managed at home until the patient can be seen. For a loose bracket, a poking wire or other appliance discomfort, the team can guide you until an appointment is needed. The triage below sorts the situation by urgency. Call 911 first for any breathing or uncontrolled bleeding situation. Call Fredal Orthodontics at (586) 544-4440 for any orthodontic-specific issue. When in doubt, call.
Call 911 or Go to the ER First
Breathing or choking: If a bracket, wire, or appliance was inhaled (not swallowed) and breathing is difficult, call 911.
Uncontrolled bleeding: A wire or appliance causing a wound that will not stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
Severe infection: Swelling in the jaw, face, or neck with fever, same-day medical care needed.
Manage at Home, Repair at Next Visit
Loose bracket still attached to the wire, cover with wax and call/text to schedule.
Poking wire, push flat with a pencil eraser or cover with wax.
Loose band, do not reattach. Save it and call/text to schedule.
Lost elastic, tie, or separator, not urgent. Replace at next visit.
General soreness after adjustment, normal for 2-3 days. OTC pain reliever plus soft foods.
Swallowed bracket or elastic, generally harmless and passes naturally. Call or text for replacement.
Self-Care First: At-Home Fixes That Work
Poking Wire
- Press the wire flat against the tooth with the eraser end of a pencil.
- If it will not stay flat, cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax.
Loose Bracket
A loose bracket still attached to the wire can be covered with wax. Call to schedule the repair. If a bracket has come completely off the tooth, call Fredal Orthodontics for same-day care.
Loose Band
A band is the metal ring around a back molar. If it comes loose, do not try to reattach it. Save it and call to schedule.
Soreness After an Adjustment
General soreness is normal for 2 to 3 days after an adjustment. An over-the-counter pain reliever and soft foods help. Call Fredal Orthodontics if pain is getting worse rather than better after three or more days.
Lost or Damaged Aligner
Contact the office if you lose or damage an aligner.
Common Orthodontic Emergencies, Step by Step
Call 911 First
- Breathing or choking: a bracket, wire, or appliance was inhaled (not swallowed) and breathing is difficult.
- Uncontrolled bleeding: a wire or appliance has caused a wound that has not stopped bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
- Severe infection: swelling in the jaw, face, or neck with a fever.
Call Fredal Orthodontics for Same-Day Care
- A bracket has come completely off the tooth.
- A wire is poking hard enough to cut or bleed and wax is not controlling it.
- Facial trauma occurred during treatment.
- An appliance is broken and eating or closing the mouth normally is not possible.
- Pain is getting worse rather than better after three or more days.
Manage at Home, Repair at the Next Visit
- Loose bracket still attached to the wire: cover it with wax and call to schedule.
- Poking wire: push it flat with a pencil eraser or cover it with wax.
- Loose band: do not try to reattach it. Save it and call to schedule.
- Lost elastic, tie, or separator: not urgent. It is replaced at the next visit.
- General soreness after an adjustment: normal for 2 to 3 days. An over-the-counter pain reliever and soft foods help.
- Swallowed bracket or elastic: generally harmless and passes naturally. Call for a replacement.
Text a Photo Through Weave
For a bracket, wire, or appliance issue outside of office hours, you can text or send a photo through Weave 24 hours a day, whenever the concern comes up. The clinical team reviews all messages during normal business hours. The team replies with next steps, whether that is a simple at-home fix or scheduling a same-day visit.
Every patient can use Weave to share progress photos and questions with the team between visits.
How Fredal Orthodontics Schedules Emergency Visits
Emergency visits are by appointment only, during office hours. Call/text (586) 544-4440 to schedule one. The office does not take walk-ins. Fredal Orthodontics offers same-day appointments during patient hours when clinically appropriate and scheduling permits. Same-day appointments depend on the doctor’s availability and presence in town. Most repairs take 15 to 20 minutes. Call first so the right parts can be ready.
Office hours are Monday 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. On Wednesday, the office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for phone calls only, with no patient appointments. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
After hours, current patients can call/text the main line. Fredal Orthodontics usually responds to after-hours and weekend emergency messages within 24 hours.
What It Costs
Current patients: emergency care is included in the treatment fee. If a bracket breaks or a wire pokes, the comfort repair is included at no extra charge.
Patients in active treatment at another practice: a comfort visit during patient care hours is $300. A comfort visit is a visit to fix a problem such as a broken bracket or a poking wire. A repair does not require a full transfer-of-care contract (moving your treatment to Fredal Orthodontics).
When to Reach Out, and How
Phone and Clinical Hours
- Clinical hours
- Mon 12-7, Tue 10-6, Wed Phone Only, Thu 8-5, Fri 8-2
- Call availability
- Mon 12-7, Tue 10-6, Wed 8-5, Thu 8-5, Fri 8-2
- Main line
- 586-544-4440
Preventing Orthodontic Emergencies
Avoid the Problem Foods
During treatment, Dr. Fredal advises avoiding anything hard, chewy, sticky, or crunchy. Examples are Starburst, caramel, peanuts and popcorn.
Wear a Mouthguard for Sports
For sports, Fredal Orthodontics recommends the Shock Doctor orthodontic mouthguard. The practice does not make custom sports guards in the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment for an emergency?
Yes. Emergency visits at Fredal Orthodontics are by appointment only, during office hours, and the office does not take walk-ins. Call/text (586) 544-4440 to schedule. Braces removal is also by appointment. Wednesday is for phone calls only, with no patient appointments. Outside office hours, current patients can still call/text the main line.
Is emergency care included for current patients?
Yes. For current patients, emergency care is included in the treatment fee. There is no visit fee for a comfort visit or an emergency visit during patient care hours. Reattaching a bracket that comes off is included too. There is no monthly fee for texting photos and questions to the team through Weave.
Can I be seen if I started treatment elsewhere?
Yes. Fredal Orthodontics accepts emergency patients who have braces from another office. A comfort visit during patient care hours is $300, and you do not need to sign a full transfer-of-care contract for a repair. To move your treatment to this practice, the transfer consultation fee is $250, credited toward treatment if you start here.
What can my child take for braces discomfort?
Dr. Fredal says Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used as needed for discomfort, following the recommended dosing instructions. If a bracket or wire is causing the discomfort, call/text the office at (586) 544-4440. If your child cannot come in during patient hours, he advises putting orthodontic wax on the area for temporary relief.
What if an emergency happens after hours or on a weekend?
Call/text (586) 544-4440. Existing patients can call/text the main line after hours, and Fredal Orthodontics usually responds to after-hours and weekend emergency messages within 24 hours. Visits are during office hours, by appointment. If a wire is poking or causing significant irritation, Dr. Fredal says you may carefully clip the end with clean nail clippers until your child can be seen.
Can I send a photo instead of coming in?
You can send a photo first. Patients text photos and questions to the team through Weave 24 hours a day. The clinical team reviews them during business hours and replies with next steps. They help decide whether the problem needs attention right away or can safely wait until the next scheduled visit.
Other Reasons Families Call/Text
Lost or broken retainer. A replacement retainer is $225 per arch, or $450 for an upper and lower pair. The practice also offers Retainer Insurance, a paid program for replacement retainers. It costs $790 and runs for 7 years. With the program, each new retainer is a $40 copay, and you can receive one new set per quarter. Only Essix retainers (clear plastic retainers) can be delivered at the same visit. If you can’t wait for the lab, the office can make a retainer in-house.
Directions and parking: Fredal Orthodontics is at 7827 25 Mile Road in Shelby Township. The office is on the northwest corner of 25 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue. Park in any available space in the lot next to the building. The entrance is on the southwest side. See the contact and location details.
If a Bracket Breaks
Call/text the office at (586) 544-4440, or send a photo of the bracket through Weave. The team will help decide whether the problem needs attention right away or can safely wait until the next scheduled visit.
Your child may be uncomfortable and unable to come in during patient hours. If so, Dr. Fredal advises putting orthodontic wax on the area for temporary relief. A wire may also poke or cause significant irritation. If it does, he says you may carefully clip the end with clean nail clippers until your child can be seen.
For current patients, re-bonding a bracket that comes off (attaching it back onto the tooth) is included.
Need Help Now?
Call/text the office about a broken bracket, a poking wire or another problem with braces or aligners.