Braces Owner's Manual - Problem Solving
Braces Rubbing on Cheeks or Lips
Orthodontic wax comes in a variety of flavors.
Pinch off a decent-sized piece of wax.
Place the wax on the area of the braces that is causing the problem.
The wax will stick better if the surface is dry.
Pinch off a decent-sized piece of wax.
Place the wax on the area of the braces that is causing the problem.
The wax will stick better if the surface is dry.
Wire Poking In the Back of the Mouth
The wire may be sticking out of the band on the molar.
Careful use of wire snippers can eliminate the problem.
If the wire has slid around the teeth so that it is sticking out on one side
you may try to push it back using tweezers or pliers through the molar on the other side.
Careful use of wire snippers can eliminate the problem.
If the wire has slid around the teeth so that it is sticking out on one side
you may try to push it back using tweezers or pliers through the molar on the other side.
Bracket Loose From Tooth
A bracket may come loose from the tooth.
If the bracket comes completely off the wire, or is not bothering you
the problem will be fixed at your next appointment.
If you would like to remove the bracket from the wire, catch the end of a small
metal instrument (like on fingernail clippers) under the O-ring and work off the bracket.
You may also try to cut the edge of the O-ring to get it off the bracket.
Be careful not to cut the wire.
Once the O-ring is gone, the bracket will hang on the wire.
Use tweezers to remove the bracket from the wire.
There will now be a space where the bracket once was.
Please be sure to call our office to let us know a bracket came off
so that we will be prepared at your next visit to fix it.
If the bracket comes completely off the wire, or is not bothering you
the problem will be fixed at your next appointment.
If you would like to remove the bracket from the wire, catch the end of a small
metal instrument (like on fingernail clippers) under the O-ring and work off the bracket.
You may also try to cut the edge of the O-ring to get it off the bracket.
Be careful not to cut the wire.
Once the O-ring is gone, the bracket will hang on the wire.
Use tweezers to remove the bracket from the wire.
There will now be a space where the bracket once was.
so that we will be prepared at your next visit to fix it.
Band Loose From Tooth
A band may come loose from a molar tooth.
If the band is not very loose, push it down completely on the tooth
and notify our office of the problem.
If it is very loose and you can remove it from the tooth, you may do so.
If the wire is then sticking out you may carefully clip it with wire snips.
Please be sure to call our office to let us know a band came loose
so that we will be prepared at your next visit to fix it.
If the band is not very loose, push it down completely on the tooth
and notify our office of the problem.
If it is very loose and you can remove it from the tooth, you may do so.
If the wire is then sticking out you may carefully clip it with wire snips.
so that we will be prepared at your next visit to fix it.
Wire Out of the Band
If a wire comes out of a band, it will hang either above or below the band slot.
Grip the wire near its end using tweezers or small needle-nosed pliers.
Put the end of the wire in the slot in the band.
Push the wire completely back in the slot.
If you can't get the wire into the slot, try placing it in the headgear tube.
If all else fails, tuck the wire under the hook on the band and cover with wax if necessary.
Contact our office if the wire continues to bother you.
The general instructions given out in our office can be found here.Grip the wire near its end using tweezers or small needle-nosed pliers.
Put the end of the wire in the slot in the band.
Push the wire completely back in the slot.
If you can't get the wire into the slot, try placing it in the headgear tube.
If all else fails, tuck the wire under the hook on the band and cover with wax if necessary.
Contact our office if the wire continues to bother you.