The first thing to do is not to panic. Brackets or wires breaking are common occurrences and there are minor fixes (depending on the severity of the damage) a patient can make that can minimise discomfort. Damaged teeth-straightening instruments pose risks to the mouth, increasing the possibility of cuts and abrasions. These instruments should be repaired by an orthodontist as soon as possible so that treatment is not affected. Need repair services for damaged braces in Liverpool? At our Liverpool Smile Studio we offer a range of orthodontic services covering various types of teeth-straightening treatments.
Common teeth-positioning device problems
Protecting the mouth is a key concern when a teeth-straightening instrument is damaged or breaks. Fixed dental devices used to straighten misaligned teeth feature wires and brackets that can be sharp when broken. Patients can make use of tweezers to manipulate sharp edges so that they do not injure the inside of the mouth or nail clippers to snip protruding wires.
Fortunately there are a few quick fixes that can help in protecting the mouth from the following types of damage:
- Loose bracket still attached to wire
Brackets are attached to the teeth using a special adhesive and connected to each other on a wire. If a bracket breaks away from the tooth but is still attached to the wire, this can be temporarily fixed until a proper repair can be done. This type of damage offers little pain but discomfort can be experienced as the loosened bracket can rub against the inside of the mouth, causing irritation. Using a sterilised set of tweezers, the bracket can be moved along the wire frame and positioned between two teeth. Take care to ensure that the bracket sits positioned in the right direction. To protect against discomfort, dental wax can be used to cover the surface.
- Broken arch wire
The danger of a broken arch wire is that the sharp edge can cut into the gums or inside of the cheek, injury to the gums or abrasions to the cheeks raises the possibility of an infection occurring. To prevent this likelihood until the arch wire can be safely repaired, the sharp end can be neatly cut off with nail clippers that have been sanitised. Make sure that the clipped wire is caught on a tissue or cloth placed inside the mouth to avoid the metal piece from being swallowed. If you are concerned about how to take care of your teeth-straightening device, speak to one of our dental practitioners that are trained in treatments such as braces in Liverpool.
- Bent wire
Bent wires can compromise the teeth-straightening treatment process if left unrepaired. Wires in fixed teeth correcting devices become bent or damaged when the patients eat foods that are too hard, causing them to bend. When this happens the wire bands become ineffective in moving teeth into the desired position. It is best to schedule an appointment to have the orthodontist examine the dental instrument to see how it can be repaired.
The three main reasons that cause these dental instruments to break and pose a risk to the mouth can be easily avoided. Eating hard foods while wearing teeth correcting devices is the most common reason why brackets or wires break so doing your best to avoid crunchy and sticky foods is highly recommended. The second reason is injury to the mouth area, which is why wearing a mouthguard is considered essential when participating in contact sports. Lastly, food lodged between brackets and teeth. If food particles can’t be removed through flossing or brushing, professional cleaning carried out by a dental professional can effectively keep dental instruments clean. For any orthodontic-related treatment, schedule an appointment at Liverpool Smile Studios.