Fortunately, genuine Orthodontic emergencies are rare. However, it is not uncommon for braces to break.
What should I do if my fixed brace breaks?
Fixed braces are fairly robust. However, sometimes a component may break, most commonly during the first few weeks of treatment. Usually it’s a bracket that may have have come unstuck from its tooth or a wire or piece of plastic chain that’s become bent or broken
If this happens, don’t worry! Just give us a call as soon as possible during normal working hours so that we can offer you an appointment to make you comfortable. If time permits, we will try to repair the breakage at the same visit.
What should I do if my removable brace breaks?
If your removable brace breaks, is very loose, if there is an obvious area of soreness or any other problem, please telephone for an appointment at the earliest opportunity but continue wearing the brace if at all possible. If you leave it out, your teeth will start to drift, within a day or two the brace will no longer fit and then treatment will have to be restarted from the beginning.
My fixed brace hurts my teeth. What should I do?
It takes approximately two to three weeks for your mouth to adjust after you’ve had your fixed brace fitted. During that adjustment period you can apply a small amount of orthodontic wax to the brackets where needed. In addition, the teeth may feel tender for a few days, so it may be a good idea to take an over-the-counter painkiller. Hot salt mouth-rinses may help if you experience ulcers.
Most patients wearing fixed braces experience no particular discomfort or problems following the fitting of their fixed braces. A small minority of patients experience a bit more discomfort than usual or even outright pain during the first few days after their brace was fitted. If this is happening to you, remember to use the wax and painkillers and please be reassured that within a few weeks, things will only improve. However, please don’t hesitate to call to arrange a separate visit if necessary (if only to allow us the opportunity to give you reassurance).
There’s a wire at the back of my fixed brace that’s digging into my cheek.
Treatment with fixed braces frequently involve closing gaps between teeth. Sometimes, when gaps are being closed during treatment, a small bit of wire can start to stick out from the back of the brace which can cause irritation. If this is causing a problem, use the orthodontic wax in the first instance and call us during normal working hours to arrange an emergency appointment so that we can remove the small bit of wire that’s causing the problem.
In the event that you seek further assistance out of normal working hours, you can reach one of our team on 074268 97444. Please leave a message and your call will be returned shortly. Alternatively, the Herts Out-of-Hours Dental Service can be reached on 03000 333 224.
If your wire has popped out of the back attachment of the brace use a clean pair of tweezers to replace the wire back into the tube of the back attachment. If you have some orthodontic wax to place over the affected area to smooth the area over you can do this also, alternatively you can use blue tac or cheese wax (wax around a babybel).
Bracket off
If the broken bracket is still attached to the wire then we would suggest to remove the elastic band from around the bracket using a clean pair of tweezers so that the bracket will come away from the wire easily. If trauma has been caused then we would like to advise you use some orthodontic wax to place over the affected area to smooth the area over you can do this also, alternatively you can use blue tac or cheese wax (wax around a babybel).
Band off
If band is very loose then you can try to seat it back down onto the tooth, you will need to eat on the other side to prevent the band from coming off again. We would like to advise you use some orthodontic wax to place over the affected area to smooth the area over you can do this also, alternatively you can use blue tac or cheese wax (wax around a babybel).
If your band has snapped, we would suggest you remove this band using a clean pair of tweezers and then cutting the wire closest to the next bracket that is stuck onto the tooth. We would like to advise you use some orthodontic wax to place over the affected area to smooth the area over you can do this also, alternatively you can use blue tac or cheese wax (wax around a babybel).
Band off Quadhelixes
Push the band back onto tooth if it will locate and ensure you remain a good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet to prevent decay under the band and around your tooth.
Lost module(s)
No action required – try and make wire where the module has been lost secure with dental wax, cheese wax or blu tack and chewing gum.
Lost spring
No treatment required
Fractured/Frayed power chain
Remove powerchain with tweezers if necessary.
Cut fayed end as short as possible to improve comfort
Exposed end of wire tie – long ligature or short ligature.
Re-tuck sharp end under wire/bracket using teaspoon or tweezers
Remove wire if broken with tweezers if possible
Cut fayed end as short as possible to improve comfort with nail cutters or scissors. Cover for comfort using Ortho wax, Cheese wax, Blu tack, chewing gum.
Bonded Retainer
Using your fingers or a clean pair of tweezers push the wire down towards the tooth as much as possible. You can use orthodontic wax to cover the affected area, alternatively you can use blue tac or cheese wax (wax around a babybel). If part of the wire has been exposed/unbonded you can use clean tweezers and nail clippers to cut the wire to make it more comfortable or to pull the wire and remove the whole retainer. Throughout this time we would advise that you used your removable retainers more often to prevent any risks of relapse. Please view the video link below that can help you.
Broken Retainers
Continue to wear your retainer for the meantime as best as you can do even if it is now in 2 parts (wear both parts) this will reduce the risk of relapse.
Aligners
If your current aligner is in good order, then please keep wearing it as much as possible. If your current aligner is broken or ill-fitting, step back to your previous aligner. If you are due to collect your new aligner this may still be possible, we must reassure you that this will be a safe handover with very minimal contact.
URA/Functional appliances
If fractured or ill-fitting do not wear the appliance.