Fixing a Broken Bracket or Wire on Your Braces
Your braces are a strong and effective orthodontic treatment that can give you the smile of your dreams. But there are things that can break or come loose. Sometimes a bracket or wire just comes loose. Sometimes you just can’t resist that sticky or crunchy food. Whatever the reason, it isn’t necessarily a big deal, but it’s good to know what to do in this type of situation.
Fixing a Loose Bracket
A bracket may become loose or detached from the tooth completely.
Step 1: Check out the damage. The first thing you need to do is see if the bracket is still connected to the wire. If it is, keep it in place and stabilize it by covering it with a piece of orthodontic wax and sticking it back to your tooth as best as you can. If it is not attached to the wire, take the bracket out of your mouth and keep it in a safe place. Make sure to bring it with you to your next appointment. If the bracket slid out of place when it came loose, move it back into position with a cotton swab and follow the orthodontic wax step above.
Step 2: Do your best to control the situation. Sometimes a broken bracket makes a wire stick out into your mouth. If this happens, it’s best to clip the wire with a pair of fingernail clippers. As you do this, make sure to clip the wire as close to the bracket as possible. This will help you prevent cuts inside your mouth. Then cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax.
Step 3: Make an appointment with Dr. William. Even if you aren’t experiencing any pain, it’s still important to get your braces fixed. Otherwise your treatment could also be delayed.
What to Do With a Loose Wire on Your Braces
The wires on your braces are attached to your brackets with small elastic bands. However, it is possible for a wire to come loose. If this happens:
Step 1: Try to push the wire back in place. Using the eraser on the end of a pencil, try to bend the wire back toward the bracket and cement it in place with orthodontic wax.
Step 2: Trim wire if necessary. If the wire can’t be bent back and is irritating your cheeks or gums, carefully clip it with a pair of nail clippers.
Step 3: See step 3 above.
While having a broken bracket or wire isn’t a dire emergency, it is important to get it fixed so it doesn’t cause you pain or delay your treatment. Dabney Orthodontics is happy to help you get back on track!