| Even though braces are less noticeable than they used to be, they aren't any less complex. Broken braces, loose bands, or poking or protruding wires can be the cause of problems, but rarely call for emergency treatment. You'll want to make an appointment with your orthodontist right away, but in most cases, you can fix the problem temporarily until you get professional help. Call your orthodontist's office and discuss the problem to determine whether you need an immediate visit. For a severe problem, such as a sports-related mouth or face injury, seek immediate attention. What You Can Do
Braces, bands or the wires that are affixed to each tooth occasionally will break or fall off completely, but usually what happens is that one of the parts will loosen, which may cause minor discomfort. Here are a few problems that can occur: - Loose bracket — The brackets (also called braces) are the metal or ceramic pieces that attach to the teeth. They're usually bonded (glued) to the front surfaces of the teeth with a material called composite resin, which is similar to a dentist's tooth-colored filling material. If the bond weakens or breaks, which can happen after you chew something hard or sticky, the bracket can dislodge and may poke at the gum tissue or other soft tissues in the mouth, such as your tongue or cheek. You can temporarily reattach loose brackets with a small piece of orthodontic wax, or place wax over the bracket to provide a cushion so it doesn't poke you. This should provide some comfort until you can see your orthodontist. Your orthodontist will give you the wax when you first get your braces.
- Loose band — Orthodontic bands are the metal rings cemented with dental bonding agents or cement around back teeth and sometimes around front teeth. Today, most orthodontists use bonded brackets on the front teeth and bands on the back teeth. If an orthodontic band becomes loose, call for an appointment to have it re-cemented or replaced. If the band comes off the tooth or the wire completely, do not replace it yourself. Save the band and call to schedule an appointment for repair.
- Protruding or broken wire — This is a common problem. If a wire sticks out of the bracket or band or breaks, it may poke or damage your cheek, tongue or gum. The easiest solution is to use the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a less bothersome position. If you can't bend it out of the way, put a small piece of orthodontic wax over the end that is sticking out. You should not cut the orthodontic wire. A cut wire can be accidentally swallowed or inhaled into your lungs. If the damaged wire has caused a painful sore, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or an antiseptic rinse. This will keep the area clean and help reduce the discomfort. You can also apply an over-the-counter dental anesthetic (pain reliever), which will temporarily numb the area. If the pain doesn't get better or the sore seems to be getting worse, call your orthodontist.
- Loose spacer — Spacers or separators are rubber circular pieces that are put between your teeth. They are left in place for a brief period of time, usually for several days. They open a small space between your teeth so that the orthodontic band will slip into place easily. Sometimes, they can slip out of position or fall out entirely. If this happens you should make an appointment with your orthodontist to have them replaced.
What Your Orthodontist Will Do
Broken brackets, loose bands or wires usually are easy to repair. In some cases, your orthodontist may be able to adjust, reposition or reattach the existing wires or brackets. Sometimes, he or she will need to replace the brackets or wires with new ones.
Let your orthodontist know about any problems before you or your child's next scheduled appointment. If necessary, your orthodontist may decide to see you sooner and will also be able to set aside enough time for the necessary repairs. ©2002-2005 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved. Reviewed by the faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine |
