Broken Braces: What to Do If Your Bracket or Wire Breaks

Brace mishaps are more common than you think!

Whether it’s a rogue popcorn kernel or a tumble while exercising, a broken bracket or wire can leave you feeling a bit discouraged. Don’t worry, though! At Hampstead Orthodontic, we’re here to guide you through the ins and outs of broken braces.

This blog will cover everything you need to know: from identifying the type of breakage to taking care of your mouth and getting back on track for that winning smile.

4 Types of Broken Braces

Knowing what kind of breakage you’re dealing with is the first step to fixing it. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits:

1) Floating Bracket (A Braces Bracket Came Off)

What does a broken bracket look like?

Imagine the square brackets bonded to your teeth. If one feels loose or wiggly, or you see a bracket completely detached from your tooth but still attached to the wire, that’s a floating bracket.

Does a broken bracket hurt?

Not necessarily! A loose bracket might feel a little strange, but it shouldn’t cause major discomfort. However, a completely detached bracket could irritate your gums or scratch the inside of your cheek.

2) Broken Wire

This one’s pretty straightforward. A broken wire simply means the wire connecting your brackets has snapped. You might see a loose or dangling end, or even a sharp piece poking out.

3) Protruding Wire

Sometimes, the wire can stay intact but bend in a way that digs into your cheek or tongue. This is a protruding wire, and it can definitely be annoying and cause irritation.

4) Bent Wire

Similar to a protruding wire, a bent wire can occur if enough pressure is applied. The difference is that a bent wire might not necessarily poke out, but it can still affect the movement of your teeth and slow down your treatment.

What Can Cause a Broken Bracket or Wire?

Braces can break in a number of ways and it can also be one culprit or a combination. Here are some common reasons for broken brackets and wires:

• Chewing on hard or crunchy foods: Nuts, hard sweets, crusts, crunchy fruit and vegetables (e.g. carrots, celery, apples, and pears) and more can put a lot of stress on your braces and cause a bracket to pop off or a wire to snap.
• Accidents: A fall, a bump to the mouth during sports, or even just biting down on something unexpectedly hard can damage your braces.
• Improper care: Not brushing and flossing properly can weaken the adhesive holding the brackets in place, increasing the risk of breakage.
• Playing with your braces: Picking at them or fiddling with the wires can loosen brackets or bend wires.

What to Do If Your Braces Break

Here’s how to handle the situation:

• Don’t panic! This part is easier said than done, but getting stressed and panicking won’t help.
• Assess the breakage: Figure out the type of breakage (check out the “4 Types of Broken Braces” section above).
• Seek professional help: No matter what, contact your orthodontist for an emergency appointment right away.
• While you wait: There are certain actions you can take before you see your orthodontist. Although, each type needs to be treated differently.
  • Floating Bracket, Bent Wire or Broken Wire: Unfortunately, all you can do is schedule an appointment ASAP.
  • Protruding Wire: Use a cotton swab or a similar device to carefully push the wire back into place. Use orthodontic wax to keep it in place or cover the sharp end until your appointment. Never, under any circumstance, cut the wire yourself!
• Saltwater rinse: To promote healing and prevent infection and inflammation in any cuts or sores, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater several times daily by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. If the sore persists or worsens after you’ve repaired your braces, contact your dentist for further advice.

How Long Can You Go with a Broken Bracket?

We’d recommend seeking professional help right away to prevent any delays in your treatment. However, we understand that you might not be able to do so. The absolute longest you should wait is a day or two.

Do Orthodontists Charge for Broken Brackets?

The policy on broken bracket fees varies between orthodontists. It’s best to contact Hampstead Orthodontics directly to inquire about your specific. In some cases, a certain number of bracket repairs might be included in your initial treatment plan, while others might have a separate fee.

Conclusion

While a broken bracket or wire might seem like a setback, it happens.

Just remember to see your orthodontist as soon as possible so you can get your braces back on track and continue your journey towards a beautiful smile.

Contact Hampstead Orthodontic Practice today to schedule a FREE consultation. We’ll be happy to guide you on your journey to a brighter smile!