Most orthodontic patients know the plight of a broken orthodontic appliance all too well. This common inconvenience is not only bothersome; it can quickly cause discomfort.
Appliances such as brackets, bands, spacers and wires can break for several reasons, like eating the wrong foods, sustaining a mouth injury, or even brushing your teeth too vigorously.
Not to worry, we are here to see you through! If one of your brackets has broken, follow these steps to make sure it can get fixed without complications.
1. Inspect the damage
The first step is to check out and assess the area of your mouth with the broken appliance. There are lots of ways to address them, so you don't have to suffer in pain and frustration. Once you find the root of the problem, it is tempting to move things around, but it it's best to contact your dentist or orthodontist and ask for their advice. They might even ask you to take a photo and send it to them if you can do so.
2. Take Control
Sometimes you can’t get in to see your orthodontist immediately. There are a few things you can do to relieve discomfort and hopefully make it easier for your orthodontist to fix the problem.
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Loose bracket – Brackets are metal or ceramic pieces that are attached to each tooth when you have traditional braces. Your orthodontist will use a material called resin to attach them to your teeth. The resin can weaken or break, causing the bracket to come loose. If you can remove it easily, do so and bring it to your orthodontist and they will address the problem. If the wire is still attached to the bracket, leave it and use orthodontic wax to hold the bracket in place.
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Loose band – Bands are the metal rings that fully surround your back teeth (and sometimes front teeth). If you feel a band has come loose, call your orthodontist to have it replaced or re-cemented. Never try to put a band back on a tooth yourself. If it comes off completely, save it and bring it to your appointment for reattachment. The good news is that most orthodontic patients today have few to no bands on their teeth.
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Protruding or broken wire – Orthodontic wires connect bracketed teeth and ultimately guide teeth into proper alignment. Broken wires can stick out and hurt the inside of your mouth. If the wire is still attached to the bracket but sticking out, try to gently move it back into position with a cotton swab or pencil eraser. If it is still protruding, use orthodontic wax to cover the pointed end of the wire until you can see your orthodontist.
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Loose spacer – Spacers are small rubber rings put in between your teeth to make space for bands to fit around your teeth comfortably. They are usually left in place for a few days before placing braces on your teeth. If your spacers move out of position or fall out entirely, no need to worry! It most likely means that you’re ready to have your bands put on!
3. Book an Appointment
If you’re not experiencing much discomfort and the break is not interfering with treatment, your orthodontist may wait to repair it until your next regularly scheduled appointment. However, it’s always a good idea to call the office as soon as you experience a problem and they will let you know if you need to come in earlier. If you do need an appointment, your orthodontist will examine your braces and either repair or replace broken brackets or wires.
4. Interim Measures
While you wait for your appointment, there are a few ways you can protect your mouth from additional trauma and ease any discomfort. Start by avoiding hard, crunchy foods, like apples and raw carrots, and sticky foods, like taffies and caramels. Instead, stick to eating soft foods like boiled eggs, yogurt, and fresh bread to avoid any further damage to the bracket. If a broken wire has caused a sore, rinse your mouth regularly with salt water or use an antiseptic rinse to reduce discomfort or temporarily numb the area. If you are still experiencing discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter painkiller to help reduce your pain.
