Emergencies

Broken Bracket

Allowing brackets or bands to remain loose for a prolonged period of time could delay your orthodontic treatment.

Note: It is important to call our office, even if your brace has come loose, or broken the same day as your appointment. If you do not call, we may not be able to fix your loose brace the same day as your appointment and you would have to come back to have the broken brace fixed.

Do not connect elastics (rubber bands) or other devices to a loose band or bracket.

These guidelines are not meant as a substitute for professional care and are offered solely as self-help information when an office visit is not available.

These techniques are designed as suggestions for a parent, guardian or other responsible adult. The first choice in care is an appointed office visit. In the absence of that, please try to cover the troublesome area with dental wax. Failing those circumstances, most long and dislodged archwires can safely be cut following the outlined procedures below. Any breakage or alteration of the braces should be reported to our office.
Examples of wires that have distorted or moved

A wire that has come out of it’s bracket or tube. Typically, the result of the inappropriate chewing of large or chewy pieces of food.

This wire is poking out of the last brace. The teeth may have moved or the wire has slid out of position.

Guidelines for self-help remedies to correct distorted or moved archwires

• Tools Needed
• Cutting Long Wires
• Removing Long Pieces
• Repositioning bent, moved, or distorted archwires

Tools Needed

• Small diagonal cutters that have been cleaned with soap and water then wiped with alcohol
• Cotton
• Tweezers (optional)

The images to the right are examples of “diagonal cutters” that can be obtained from a hardware store.

Cutting Long Wires

Step 1

Step 2

Grasp the wire for cutting in a location that is easily accessible and as near to the problem as possible. These are valid positions. However, the far left placement is preferred.

Step 3 – Removing Long Pieces

Once the wire is cut, it can be removed with the cutter or a tweezers. Grasp and slide the wire forward out of the brackets or remove the small piece cut from the back.

Repositioning a wire that has slid or bent out of its tube

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Loose Wires/Wire Out Of Tube

When you first get your braces on, it is very common for the wires to come out of the tubes due to the fact that we start with a very flexible, thin wire for initial movement of the teeth. Try to place the wire back into the tube with tweezers. If you are unsuccessful, place wax on the area if it is uncomfortable. Contact our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.

Wire Out Of Tube

Place Wire Back In Tube

Poking Wires

Occasionally through the course of your treatment you may also experience a poking wire on one of your brackets or bands. If this occurs, bend the wire back with a spoon or pencil eraser.

If unsuccessful, cover the area with wax and call for an appointment.

Use an Eraser to Push The Wire Back

Place Wax On The Area If Unsuccessful

As your braces come into alignment, there may be occasions where the wire will become long in back and start to poke. If this occurs, please contact our office as soon as possible for an appointment. You may use wax or wet cotton on the poking area until your emergency appointment if needed.

Wire Poking Out In Back

If these procedures are not sufficient, there are over the counter temporary dental packing or filling materials that can be used as wax substitutes. These temporary filling materials adhere well to irregularities and protect the surrounding tissues from irritation.

Examples of these materials are Dentemp O.S. and Temparin. They do not need mixing procedures and are typically available at Walgreens or other pharmacies. Dental wax is also available at the pharmacy. It is important to use enough material (at least the size of a large pea) and to apply any wax or packing materials in liberal quantities.

If a wire becomes dislodged from the back of your teeth, insulate the area with wax and call the office for an appointment.

If the attached wire comes out completely, save the wire, call the office and make sure you bring the wire with you to the repair appointment.

Lost Hook/Tie