What to do if something is wrong with the brace
The most common incidents – and which of them can wait until tomorrow.
Hardly any treatment runs without an incident. Most of it is harmless if you know what to do – and what better to leave alone.
A bracket has come loose
Not an emergency. If it is still hanging on the archwire, leave it there and cover chafing edges with wax. If it has fallen off, pick it up and bring it along. Call and ask for an appointment – as long as the bracket is missing, that tooth is not moving with the others.
The wire is poking
Usually at the back, because the teeth have moved and the archwire now sticks out. Cover the spot with protective wax. Do not cut anything off yourself – cut-off pieces can be swallowed, and the archwire is part of the plan. An appointment within the next few days is enough.
The retainer is broken or has come loose
This is the most urgent case on this list. A wire that is still attached to only some of the teeth can move individual ones in the wrong direction. Get to the practice promptly – this is worse than no retainer at all.
The aligner or the removable brace is gone
Report it immediately. A new one will be made, and in the meantime the teeth drift back. The longer the gap, the more of what has been achieved is lost. If possible, keep wearing the previous aligner.
When it is truly urgent
With an injury in the mouth that bleeds and does not stop. With a tooth loosened by a blow. With severe, increasing pain at a single tooth – that points not to the brace but to something else.
The essentials at a glance
- Loose bracket: pick it up, wax on chafing edges, appointment. As long as it is missing, the tooth is not moving with the others.
- Poking wire: put wax on it, do not cut anything off yourself, appointment within the next few days.
- Broken retainer: the most urgent case. A wire attached to only some teeth moves them in the wrong direction.
- Lost aligner: report it immediately and, if possible, keep wearing the previous one.
Answered briefly
Frequently asked questions
No. Household adhesives do not belong in the mouth, and the position of the bracket determines the movement of the tooth – it is planned to a tenth of a millimetre.
Usually not on the same day. Call and describe the situation; the practice will tell you how urgent it is. But do not wait until the next regular appointment in eight weeks.
Wax on anything that rubs, soft food, and call on Monday. A real emergency is only an injury that bleeds, or a tooth loosened by a blow – that is what the emergency dental service is for.
This happens often – the brace ends up in the napkin and then in the bin. Report it to the practice; a new one takes time. A container for the brace that does not look like a napkin prevents a repeat.