Today I call my dentist (as my orthodontist is in New Orleans...or was, last I knew).
Me: Hi, my permanent retainer behind my bottom front teeth lost a bonding piece. Could you fit me in to just stick it back on.
Receptionist: Let me check. *puts me on hold*. Sorry, we can't do that. Here's a name of a local orthodontist.
Me: Hi orthodontist receptionist, here is my story.
Receptionist: Let me see if we can squeeze you in. Oh, no, we'd love to help, but we're all full. Here's a number for a different orthodontist.
Me: Hi different receptionist, here's my story.
Snooty receptionist: we don't do those, so we can't help you at all.
Me: Hi my dentist's office manager, here's my story. I called orthodontists and they couldn't help me and I'm worried about cutting my tongue on the wire.
Office Manager: We can get you in at 5. Let me just double check with your dentist. Yup, come in at 5. You'll be seeing the substitute dentist.
Me: That's fine. I just want this fixed. See you at 5.
I bet if I just said that my tooth hurt or i cut my tongue I wouldn't have had this problem.
I get to the dentists just before 5. I read 50 pages of my Tamora Pierce book and they finally call me in after 5:30. The dentist is really nice and she quickly puts bonding back on my tooth and lets me know that it may have shifted a little and that's why the bonding let go. Dentist receptionist doesn't charge me. I knew I liked these people for a reason.