Emergency & Urgent Care
Most orthodontic "emergencies" are minor issues that can be managed at home until your next appointment. Read below to identify your situation and follow the appropriate steps.
Braces Issues
牙套問題
Leave the loose or broken bracket in place and cover it with wax for comfort. Do not try to remove it. We will repair it at your next appointment. Call us if you're in significant discomfort.
將鬆脫或損壞的托槽留在原位，並用蠟覆蓋以減少不適。請勿嘗試自行取下。我們將在下次複診時修復。若感到明顯不適，請致電告知。
Push the wire back inside the molar tube using a pencil eraser or cotton swab. A nail clipper cleaned with rubbing alcohol can also clip the wire for relief. Apply wax over the area if irritation continues. Contact us if you cannot resolve it.
用鉛筆橡皮擦或棉花棒將鋼絲推回磨牙管內。也可用酒精消毒的指甲剪剪斷突出部分。若持續刺激，可在該區域塗抹蠟。如無法自行解決，請聯絡我們。
Bands can become loose when chewing or eating sticky foods. If a band becomes loose, call us so we can direct you to the appropriate next step. Do not try to reattach it yourself.
環形箍在咀嚼或食用黏性食物時可能會鬆脫。若發現鬆脫，請致電告知，我們將指導您下一步的處理方式。請勿自行嘗試重新固定。
Don't worry — this is not an emergency. Separators are placed to create space between teeth. If they've fallen out, it means they worked! Simply let Dr. Luke know at your next appointment.
請放心，這不是緊急情況。分隔器的作用是在牙齒之間創造空間。脫落代表它們已發揮作用！只需在下次複診時告知Dr. Luke即可。
General Discomfort
一般不適
Soreness after adjustments or new trays is completely normal and usually subsides within 2–3 days. Use warm salt water rinses and take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as needed. Avoid ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) unless necessary — it may slow tooth movement. Contact us if pain is severe or persists beyond a few days.
調整或更換新牙套後的酸痛屬正常現象，通常2至3天內消退。可用溫鹽水漱口，並視需要服用泰諾（乙醯胺酚）。除非必要，請避免服用布洛芬（Advil/Motrin）——可能會減緩牙齒移動。若疼痛劇烈或持續數天，請聯絡我們。
Brackets, wires, or aligner edges can sometimes irritate soft tissue. Apply orthodontic wax over the irritating area for relief. Rinse with warm salt water to soothe inflammation. Sores typically heal within a week as your mouth adapts.
托槽、鋼絲或牙套邊緣有時會刺激軟組織。在刺激區域塗抹矯正蠟以緩解不適。用溫鹽水漱口有助於消炎。隨著口腔適應，潰瘍通常在一週內痊癒。
Invisalign Issues
隱適美問題
If an aligner is lost or broken, wear the previous set and contact us immediately. Do not skip to the next set without consulting us first — this can affect your treatment progress.
若牙套遺失或損壞，請配戴上一副並立即聯絡我們。未經諮詢請勿直接換下一副——這可能影響治療進度。
Continue wearing your aligners as long as they still fit. Do not force them if they feel off. Call us so we can assess whether the attachment needs to be replaced before your next visit.
若牙套仍可正常貼合，請繼續配戴。若感覺不對，請勿強行戴入。請致電告知，我們將評估是否需要在下次複診前重新黏附。
If a tray feels unusually loose or tight, use your Chewie for 5–10 minutes to help seat it. If it still doesn't fit, go back to the previous tray and call us. Never force a tray that doesn't feel right.
若牙套感覺異常鬆脫或緊繃，請使用咀嚼器5至10分鐘幫助貼合。若仍無法貼合，請換回上一副並致電告知。切勿強行戴入感覺不對的牙套。
Appliance Issues
矯正裝置問題
Do not continue turning the expander if it feels loose or has moved. Call us right away so we can evaluate and recement it if necessary. A loose expander can affect your treatment progress.
若擴張器感覺鬆動或移位，請停止繼續轉動。請立即致電，我們將評估是否需要重新黏固。鬆動的擴張器可能影響治療進度。
A gap opening between your upper front teeth during expansion is completely normal and expected — it means the expander is working. This space will close naturally as treatment progresses.
擴張過程中上前牙出現縫隙是完全正常且預期的現象——代表擴張器正在發揮作用。隨著治療進展，這個空隙將自然閉合。
Contact us as soon as possible. Teeth can shift quickly without a retainer — do not wait until your next scheduled appointment. A replacement retainer may incur an additional fee.
請盡快聯絡我們。沒有保持器，牙齒可能迅速移位——請勿等到下次定期複診。更換保持器可能需要額外費用。
Still unsure? Call us.
We can advise you over the phone — no need to wait.