It is with a heavy heart that we decided to shut down our office until May 1st. This date is subject to change based on the recommendations by government officials.
Every day, we are given new information as to how best approach this new world with COVID-19. Things are changing fast, and we are doing our absolute best to change our protocols to ensure the safety of our entire Simply Orthodontics Family.
Our administrative team has made hundreds of phone calls these last few days to help patients reschedule their visits and many have the same concerns about their treatment. We thought a blog post to address these popular questions would be helpful.
1) Will my teeth be okay? Is it okay to go without an appointment for so long?
Yes! Your teeth are in a stable position at this time and as long as you keep your teeth clean, we have zero concerns. Think of that time you went on vacation or maybe missed an appointment and had to push out your visit. Delaying your treatment a few weeks is obviously not ideal, but everything will be just fine.
2) I’ve been wearing this last aligner for over a week. What should I do?
The great thing about Invisalign is that your aligner will act as retainers until you can be seen. Continue wearing your last aligner until we are able to get you a new set. Not too long ago, Invisalign actually advised patients to wear their aligners for a minimum of two weeks before they could move to a new one! Just don’t lose them and keep your aligners clean by brushing with a toothbrush every night.
We also suggest you switch to wearing your final set of aligners at night time only once you have worn it for at minimum two weeks full time. This will extend the longevity of your aligner.
3) Can you mail me my aligners or can I pick them up?
As long as we’re able to do so, we can offer to mail you some aligners. This is dependent on whether or not you have any left in our office and how USPS is running. We can also arrange for you to pick up your aligners by appointment only. In order to encourage social distancing, we are staggering patient pick ups and making the proper arrangements. Send us a text or give us a call at 949.264.3314 so that we may be ready for you.
4) What should I do if I’m in braces?
The most important thing you can do for us right now is to keep your teeth clean and not break any brackets. Remember, stay away from anything crunchy, sticky, or chewy. If you break a bracket while we are shut down, we are unable to repair it for you at this time. However, you may make an appointment for an emergency comfort visit.
5) Should I continue to wear my rubber bands?
Yes! And we can always mail you more or arrange for pickup if necessary. Remember, you can still email or text us photos if you are uncertain.
6) Can you please make an exception and see me for my appointment?
As a team who emphasizes customer service and making others smile, this is the hardest part of it all. We’re not used to saying no! However, the American Dental Association and OSHA guidelines prohibit us from any appointments that are not an emergency. We also believe in doing our part in flattening the curve. The less interaction with people the better. This is a great article to read to understand the importance of self quarantine (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/). We are big proponents in saving equipment for our healthcare professionals who are on the frontlines.
7) What if I have a question about treatment and really want to speak with Dr. Shung?
This one is an easy one. Dr. Shung is still reachable via email by emailing us at [email protected]. If you would like to speak with him, we can arrange for a phone call or virtual exam. Isn’t technology the best?
8) Will you really be back and running on May 1st? What will happen if you have to close for longer?
The truth of the matter is that we are taking things one day at a time and making adjustments as necessary. We are doing everything in our power to get our office back up and running, but the safety of our team members and patients is our top priority. Our team will also be sure to notify you in a timely manner of any changes.
Check back on our Facebook or Instagram for the most recent updates.
Thank you all for your cooperation and continued support during this crazy time. We will get through this together!