Imagine a pleasant Sunday afternoon. Your family and friends have gathered for a barbecue, and you are enjoying a delicious meal. Suddenly something sticks to your braces and pop; the bracket comes off. What should you do in such a situation?
Broken or de-bonded brackets constitute an orthodontic emergency. Brackets are fixed to the tooth surface with the help of dental cement. Wires are passed through these brackets and tightened to exert forces that ultimately move your teeth into their desired locations. Although dental cement usually does not wear off and the brackets do not snap, they can in certain situations like chewing on a hard consistency food.
When a bracket breaks or gets dislodged, it interrupts the forces and puts a break in your orthodontic treatment. Moreover, these brackets are tiny and can be ingested, which can create a little complication.
If you have a loose bracket, the first thing you must do is schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. Next, you can put orthodontic wax over the bracket to manage the discomfort in the stopgap.
In cases where the bracket has de-bonded and entirely come off, carefully remove the bracket. Examine if any wires have snapped, as it can lead to injury and trauma to the oral soft tissues.
Do not try to fix a broken bracket by yourself by gluing it back. These hacks do not work, and you may end up damaging your tooth structure. Make sure you visit us at Wilmington Orthodontic Center in such situations, and we will ensure your broken brackets are fixed, and your treatment continues as planned. If you have any more questions, please reach out to us; our team of friendly dental professionals will be there to assist you in your journey to your dream smile.
