If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a broken or loose brace, don't panic! There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your orthodontic treatment remains on track. First, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible. If the break is serious and the elastic band has come off in addition to the support, you may be able to remove it yourself with the help of a friend or family member. Use tweezers to gently remove the holder.
If the wire is puncturing the check or chewing gum, cut off the end with a nail clipper or small pliers. You can also use orthodontic wax to cover sharp ends. Eating foods that are too hard for braces can cause the wire to bend, resulting in loose bands that can't put the teeth in place. If you notice any changes with the wire loose, bent, or broken, make an appointment with your orthodontist right away.
As the teeth move, there is a small chance that the wire will come out of the last bracket. Contact your orthodontist to have your wire changed. If one or more of your orthodontic appliances have come loose, call your orthodontist or dentist right away. An unscheduled visit to the orthodontist to repair broken orthodontic appliances may require parents to be absent from work and children to be absent from school. If your braces have loosened, you don't need to worry, because treating a loose brace is easier than you think. New orthodontic appliances irritate the inside of the cheeks the most, as are appliances with broken wires or braces.
Addressing an orthodontic emergency right away will ensure that your orthodontic treatment remains on track. Sores inside the mouth usually heal quickly, but if braces continue to irritate the same area of the mouth, they may take longer to heal. If your next appointment isn't until a few weeks from now, you may be told to book an earlier appointment to have the braces re-cemented on your teeth. Don't freak out if part of your orthodontic appliances broke - remember that leaving it until the next scheduled appointment could cause problems and sometimes extend treatment time. Damaged orthodontic appliances can cause discomfort, cuts and abrasions inside the mouth and, if not fixed, make treatment less effective.
Broken braces, loose wire braces, or a floating bracket can return your teeth to their previous position faster than you think. This can also happen for reasons beyond your control; sometimes, the bond between teeth and braces just isn't as strong as it should be. If you find yourself in this situation, contact your orthodontist right away for guidance on how best to proceed.
