Patients in Treatment FAQ

What do I do if I have a problem with my brace?

Fixed braces are normally quite robust Ð they have to be able to withstand the hammering that they get in the mouth!

However, from time to time, a component may break. Usually it is a bracket that has become unstuck from a tooth, a band that has become loose, or a wire that has broken. This is not normally cause for panic Ð Should part of your brace become loose, broken or lost please give us a call. A special appointment may be needed to repair the brace. In some circumstances it may be OK to leave it until your next appointment with us, but please let us know. We have emergency time allocated during the day especially for these problems should they arise.

I've broken my removable brace (plate):

If you have a removable plate, it should be worn all the time. It is only normally removed for cleaning and eating. Removable braces that spend all their time in the mouth (or in their protective container when not being worn) do not normally break. But dropping it or sitting on one doesn't do the plate much good. Also a little warning to keep it out of reach of pets as they are drawn to them!!. Leaving a broken plate out of the mouth will allow all the good work that has been achieved to drift back, so a broken plate must be fixed as soon as possible. Give us a call and we will arrange for it to be repaired or remade.

I've recently had a fixed brace put on and it is really painful:

The majority of people report no real problems. Sometimes people report a little discomfort for the first day or so, and on occasion people have suffered from tenderness and perhaps even some pain during the first few days. Fixed braces work by applying pressure on the teeth to make them move. The teeth don't want to move, they are quite happy where they are Ð so they resist and moan and groan for a few days, until they realise the force isn't going to go away and they have no choice but to move. What this means is that you can probably expect a few days of mild to moderate discomfort, with tender and painful teeth, as the movement starts. This will only last a few days for adolescents; it can take a little longer with adults, and can usually be helped by taking the painkillers you would normally take.

Other common problems and how to deal with them:

My wire is digging into my cheek:

A lot of brace treatment involves closing spaces between teeth. Sometimes when we are doing this or in the very early stages of treatment, a small length of wire can start to protrude from the back of the brace, this can be quite annoying. For temporary relief place some of the wax given to you over the wire at the end of the brace to stop it from poking your cheek. If it is a nuisance, call us for an appointment and we will trim the end of the wire to relieve the problem.

My brackets or wire is rubbing against my lips/cheeks:

At different times during the course of treatment, the brackets or wires may be in such a position where they are constantly rubbing against the cheeks or lips, causing irritation and sometimes ulcers. This is quite normal, and the only way to relieve this problem is to stick some of the wax given to you over the part of the brace concerned while the area is healing. (Don't forget to remove the wax before eating or brushing your teeth). Hot salt water mouth washes will also help relieve and heal the area more rapidly. Please ring us should you require more wax sent to you at any time.

One of my separators has fallen out:

Separators are placed in order to create a little space between teeth, in order for a molar band to be placed around a tooth at the banding visit. If one of these falls out close to the time of your banding appointment it will usually mean that there is enough space created between the teeth. So do not panic. If in doubt please give us a call.

My molar band moves up and down:

This means that it is loose, and is no longer stuck to the tooth as it should be. It is important to call and let us know, so that we can schedule a time to fix this. This is especially important if you are wearing elastics or headgear which attach to the band.

My elastics have been lost/used up:

If this happens, give us a call and we can pop some in the mail to you. Don't wait until your next visit. It is important to wear these as directed.

My headgear keeps falling out at night:

This means that it needs adjustment. Should you experience this, please call us as soon as possible to organise an appointment to adjust your headgear.

My bonded retainer wire has come off:

Please call us and let us know, and we will organise a time to put this back in place for you. This is more urgent if you have not had the braces off for long, as we need to get the wire back in place to prevent the teeth from moving.

My retainer has been lost:

Please call us and let us know. We will organise an appointment to retake an impression of your teeth and make you a new retainer. This is more urgent in patients who have not had their braces off for long, as we want to prevent any unwanted tooth movement.

Should you have any problems with your braces or have any questions whatsoever, please don't hesitate to call us.