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Whether you have recently embarked on your orthodontic journey towards your perfect smile, or are a year into your treatment, travelling may seem frightening – what do you have to bring with you? What happens if there is an emergency? Travelling while wearing braces or Invisalign will take a little extra planning, but any vacation can go off without a hitch if you are prepared.

Pre-Trip:

If you are planning on travelling you will want to be sure to keep your treatment on track, especially if it will be a long trip. Letting Dr. Walt know you will be out of town in advance will allow us to schedule your appointments close to your departure date, and shortly after you return home.

We suggest creating a “braces/hygiene kit” that should include the following items that will be beneficial for you while away from home:
  • Toothbrush & your favourite toothpaste
  • Floss, and floss threaders for those wearing braces
  • A small bottle of mouthwash (especially for cleaning Invisalign trays)
  • Toothpicks or flosspicks
  • Orthodontic wax to help with any discomfort (rubbing brackets or poking wires)
  • Small mirror
  • An extra package of elastics (if you are required to wear them)
  • Chew sticks (Invisalign wearers)
  • Don’t forget your Invisalign aligners & your Invisalign case for your aligners to prevent losing them!

While we hope you get through your trip smoothly, every so often an orthodontic emergency could arise and being away from home may cause some anxiety. Chewy, sticky and gummy foods, as well as hard candies, nuts, and hard fruits (cut instead of biting into apples, pears…etc. is ok) should be avoided while on vacation especially, to prevent creating an orthodontic emergency for yourself. If an emergency does arise, follow our tips and call the office to make an appointment for as soon as you get back. The following are some common braces-related issues and how to handle them while travelling:

Lip/cheek Irritation: If your wires, brackets, or aligners are irritating your lips or cheeks, rinse regularly with some warm salt water – this will help keep the area clean and disinfected. You can use your orthodontic wax.

Broken Brackets: If a bracket breaks on one of the front or middle teeth, you can place orthodontic wax so it does not irritate you. If the bracket is on a back tooth you can gently remove it from the wire.
Poking wire: You can try using the back of a spoon to gently push the wire under your bracket and out of the way. If the end poking is long enough, being extremely careful, you can try using nail clippers to carefully cut the wire. Use your orthodontic wax.

Sensitive teeth: If you are travelling right after an adjustment, stick to soft foods and cold drinks for a day or two. You can also take Tylenol or Advil as a pain reliever.
Invisalign: If you are an Invisalign wearer and happen to lose the aligner you are currently wearing, simply go back to your previous tray or move into the next tray you have. If an attachment falls off, DON’T WORRY! Continue wearing your aligners like normal and let us know an attachment has fallen off when you are back in town.

Wearing braces or Invisalign won’t put a damper on your wanderlust tendencies as long as you plan ahead, and pack the essentials!

In-Person Consultation

Use our handy online scheduler below to choose the date and time that works best for your initial complimentary consultation appointment!

Please note that while initial orthodontic consultations are complimentary, if you recently completed orthodontic treatment or currently are in active appliances with another provider, seeking a replacement/repair for a retainer, or looking to schedule a second consult after your initial one there is a fee for the consultation. Please contact us for more information.

Alternatively, please contact our office directly by phone/text if you are trying to book multiple consultations at the same time or are seeking consultation further out than 12 weeks.

Please note – If none of the available times on our online scheduler work for you we do have other consultation times available. Please contact us directly for more information.

Virtual Consultation

Skip the office visit and have your free consultation from the comfort of your home. The start to your beautiful smile is just a few photos and clicks away.

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When it comes to financing there’s no one size fits all solution. Likewise, there is no singular solution when it comes to financing. At LendCare, we get that and go deeper to understand your unique story and offer flexible options that work best for you, given your current financial situation. That means you get affordable financing, even if your credit is anything but top-tier.

Walt Orthodontics is pleased to offer interest-free payments up to 30 months. If you require payments over 30 months we are happy to offer the LendCare solution.

DR. WALT’S DECISION TO BECOME AN ORTHODONTIST WAS INSPIRED BY HIS OWN DIRECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

Dr. Walt received his dental (DDS) degree from the University of Western Ontario, graduating first in his class and receiving the Gold Medal as well as numerous awards recognizing his scholastic and clinical achievements, leadership and character. He then completed his orthodontic training at the University of Colorado, where he received both his Specialty Certificate and Master of Science Degree. During his residency, he was awarded the Rocky Mountain Orthodontics Scholarship for overall excellence.

After graduating from residency and opening Walt Orthodontics in 2013, Dr. Walt committed himself to applying his traditional orthodontic education into the digital world to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience. He currently serves as a Faculty Member, Key Opinion Leader, and Advisory Board Member for Align Technology which involves traveling around the world to teach other orthodontists about Invisalign. Being at the forefront of digital orthodontics, Dr. Walt was invited to be the first orthodontist in Canada to use custom LightForce braces. He also serves as an Orthodontic Coach/Mentor for other orthodontists looking to improve their knowledge of digital orthodontics.

In addition to practicing orthodontics, Dr. Walt is a “die-hard” Blue Jays fan and enjoys working out in his spare time.

DR. GROSSMAN STRIVES TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF ORTHODONTIC CARE FOR HER PATIENTS.

Dr. Stephanie Grossman pursued her dental degree in sunny South Florida at Nova Southeastern University. She graduated with honours, at the top of her class, and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honour Society. She then completed her orthodontic training at the University of Detroit Mercy, where she received both a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science degree. She is both a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

Dr. Grossman strives to provide the highest standard of orthodontic care for her patients. She attends numerous hours of continuing education and utilizes the latest advancements in orthodontics. Dr. Grossman is licensed to practice in both the United States and Canada.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Grossman enjoys spending time with her friends and family and traveling the world. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves trying new restaurants!