Broken appliances may occur from time to time during your orthodontic treatment. If there is ever a problem, such as loose bands, broken or poking wires, or a broken bracket, please call our office as soon as possible so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly. The following are helpful tips to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office.
A loose band or bracket can typically be left in place until you’re seen in our office. Call the office as soon as you notice a loose band or bracket so we can schedule an appointment to fix the appliance. Broken brackets will delay treatment if not fixed promptly. The broken bracket may remain attached to the wire and slide back and forth or it can fall off the wire. Check for broken brackets when you brush your teeth.
A broken archwire should be replaced as soon as possible. If the wire is too long and is poking out of the end of the last bracket, place wax on the wire until you’re able to come into the office. You can cut the wire with fingernail clippers or clean wire cutters if you feel comfortable.
There are no true emergencies with clear aligners. There are a few instances where you may need to call our office or come in for an extra appointment.
Make sure to keep your trays in their case when they are not in your mouth. If you do lose a tray, you can typically move ahead to the next tray. You may be a little sore. You may need to wear this tray for additional days to make sure all of the necessary movement occurs. If you are unable to wear the next tray or you have questions about timing, give us a call. We cannot get free replacement trays, they must be purchased and take a week to arrive.
Attachments can chip or fall off. If this happens, we need to replace the attachment.
If a tray has a rough edge, you can smooth it with a nail file. If this is a consistent problem, let us know. Please do not throw out a rough tray as we are able to smooth it in office.
Occasionally, a tray will have a poor fit. If one does not fit well, please let us know. Do not throw out the tray. We are unable to order a free replacement tray if we do not have the current tray. If you need to come into the office, please bring your previous tray, the current tray, and your next tray with you. This helps us to identify the issue.
Broken appliances may occur from time to time during your orthodontic treatment. If there is ever a problem where the expander becomes loose or falls out, please call our office as soon as possible so we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly. The following are helpful tips to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office.
A loose expander will need to be recemented as soon as possible. A loose band will move when touched. You may see a space between the band and tooth. If the expander has fallen out and you are unable to get into the office immediately, we may need to make you a new appliance to ensure a better fit. Please don’t throw out your expander if it falls out.
If food or plaque collects around the expander, it may cause the gum tissue in the roof of your mouth to swell and become sore. Brush the area gently and thoroughly. Warm salt water rinses also help. It will take a few days of good brushing for the tissue to get better.
If a tooth has been knocked out, severely displaced, or fractured, it is best to contact your family dentist first! We do not have the ability to treat these injuries. Usually an x-ray of the involved tooth, or teeth, is needed to determine the extent of the injury. If the orthodontic appliances are dislodged or displaced, we will need to replace or adjust them as soon as possible.
If the bracket or band is still attached to your wire, leave it in place. Place wax over it if it is rubbing on your cheek. If it falls off completely, save it and bring back to the office. Call us as soon as something breaks. We like to fix broken brackets and bands within a week whenever possible.
Place wax over the long wire end. If you would like, come into the office and we will cut the wire for you. If you can’t come in to see us (for example, you’re on vacation), you can use a fingernail clipper to cut the extra wire.
Place wax over the bracket that is bothering your cheek or lip. Eventually, your lip or cheek will toughen up and will not be bothered by your braces.
The best solution is to take tweezers and try to stick the wire back into the molar tube. If that does not work, push the long end of the wire towards the gums. You want to trap the wire under the bracket hook and against the tooth. Notify us of this at your next appointment.
If your appliance comes loose (even on just one side), call us and we’ll get you in to fix it as soon as possible. In the meantime, place wax over anything that is bothering your cheek, lips, or tongue.
Use the eraser on the end of your pencil to push the edge of the steel tie back towards your tooth. Notify us of this at your next appointment.
If your teeth are sore after your appointment, you can take whatever pain medication you normally take (like Tylenol or ibuprofen). You can also rinse with warm salt water. In a couple days you should feel better.
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