Short answer: Most braces emergencies are problems such as a broken bracket, a poking wire or a lost elastic, and they generally do not carry a life-threatening risk. Orthodontic wax can be used temporarily, detached pieces are kept and the clinic is informed. Do not cut the wire yourself or pull it out by force. If there has been a blow, swelling, fever or shortness of breath, you should go to the emergency room.
During orthodontic treatment, unexpected situations can arise from time to time: a bracket comes off, a wire end pokes into the cheek or the elastics come loose. These braces emergencies are mostly problems that do not call for panic but should not be neglected. The right temporary measures reduce discomfort and can prevent treatment from being delayed; wrong interventions, on the other hand, can harm both the teeth and the soft tissues. In this article we explain what can be done at home in the most common situations, what should be avoided and in which symptoms you should go to the doctor or the emergency room right away. For general care recommendations, you can also look at our article on points to watch in braces treatment.
What should you do if a bracket has come off?
A broken bracket is one of the most frequently experienced problems during treatment. Hard or sticky foods, foods eaten by biting and blows are the most common causes. If the bracket slides freely along the wire or irritates a sharp surface, the area is first cleaned and temporarily covered with orthodontic wax. If the broken bracket has come out of the mouth, it should be kept and brought to the appointment; however, you should know that this does not necessarily mean it will be reused. In most cases this is not an emergency, but the check-up appointment should be scheduled without waiting. This is because a detached bracket stops the movement of that tooth and can lengthen treatment time.
What can be done at home if a wire is poking?
If the end of the wire is poking into the cheek, tongue or lip, the safest temporary solution is to cover the poking area with orthodontic wax. If there is no wax, a clean piece of damp cotton or sugar-free gum can provide temporary protection. Before trying to change the direction of the wire end yourself, it is safer to get guidance from the doctor by phone. If a sore has formed, rinsing with warm salt water can be soothing. These interventions are only temporary; they are used until the wire is readjusted, and then you should go for an exam. For similar irritations in the first week, our article on soreness after getting braces may also be useful.
What happens if the elastics come loose?
Elastics (rubber bands) help correct the bite by creating additional force between the upper and lower jaws. If an elastic breaks, gets lost or comes off the hook, the right step is to put on a spare elastic as the doctor showed you. Elastics are generally given in several batches and require regular use. Every day you do not wear the elastics can cause the planned movement to be delayed. If you have run out of spares, you need to call the clinic and get new ones. Wearing two elastics at once or using a thick elastic is not recommended, because it will apply more force to the teeth than necessary. If you are unsure about how to use them, you can ask for it to be explained again at your appointment. How many hours a day the elastics are worn, whether they are taken out during meals and how often they are replaced vary from case to case, so the instructions given by the doctor must be followed to the letter. Elastics breaking constantly is also important; since it may indicate an unexpected force in the bite, it should be mentioned at the appointment.
What if bands, wires and other parts come loose?
When the metal bands on the molars loosen, a salty taste in the mouth or food debris getting trapped may be seen. If a wire has come out of place or has slipped at a back tooth so that its end has become long, protection with temporary wax is again provided and an appointment is sought. The falling off of the small elastic rings called ligatures is mostly not considered an emergency, but it is helpful to let the clinic know before the next check-up. If you use removable appliances, the doctor should also be consulted about broken or cracked parts. For a general introduction to the types of appliances, you can look at the orthodontic appliances page.
What should absolutely not be done at home?
Trying to cut the end of the wire with scissors, nail clippers or pliers is risky; the cut piece can fly around uncontrolled in the mouth, be swallowed or enter the airway. Pulling a bracket or band off by force can damage the enamel. Attempting to glue it back yourself with products such as super glue can be toxic and makes later treatment harder. Bending the shape of the wire, repeatedly stretching and releasing an elastic, or constantly probing the poking spot with your tongue can also make the situation worse. For this reason, anything to be done beyond temporary measures should be left to the doctor. Trying to solve it yourself often makes the problem bigger rather than smaller.
Which situations are truly an emergency?
If there has been a blow to the face or mouth, a tooth has broken or become loose, a piece of wire or bracket has been swallowed or is suspected to have been inhaled, breathing or swallowing has become difficult, or swelling of the face, fever and severe pain have developed, you should go to the emergency room without waiting. Likewise, a wound that keeps bleeding requires urgent evaluation. Situations outside these, such as a broken bracket or a poking wire, can generally be resolved by making an appointment within a short time; still, contact with the doctor should continue while temporary measures are being applied. You can use our contact page to notify us by phone.
What can be done to reduce problems in the first place?
Many breakages are preventable. Hard and sticky foods can be eaten after being cut into small pieces; habits such as chewing on pens, nails or ice can be avoided; and the mouthguard recommended by the doctor can be used during sports. Brushing regularly and keeping check-up appointments also lets small problems be noticed before they grow. The article on eating, speaking and care while using an appliance is useful for daily practical tips. Even keeping orthodontic wax in your bag or pocket makes many small problems easier to manage. For other topics you may be curious about, you can look at the frequently asked questions page.
What should be prepared when contacting the clinic?
When reaching us by phone, briefly telling us when the problem started, in which tooth or area it is, whether you have the broken piece with you and how severe the discomfort is speeds up the evaluation. If possible, taking a clear photograph of the problem area can also help the doctor determine the level of urgency. When coming to the appointment, bring the broken pieces and the elastics and wax you use. In addition, noting what you ate and how you cleaned your teeth until the appointment gives clues for preventing a repeat. How the pending problem will affect the treatment plan becomes clear with the doctor's exam; waiting a long time can cause the planned movement to be delayed.
Is it different if you use clear aligners?
In clear aligner treatment, there are no brackets or wires, so these kinds of problems do not occur; still, there can be different situations such as the aligner cracking, getting lost or not fitting. In that case it is usually necessary to go back to the previous aligner or let the clinic know. For details, you can look at the page on clear aligner problems.
Urgent check-up appointment in Ankara
If you have a problem with a bracket, wire or elastic during orthodontic treatment, you can call our clinic in Park Oran Ofis in Çankaya. Your situation is evaluated by phone and, if needed, a check-up is scheduled within a short time. In a situation that may be life-threatening, you must go directly to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to go to the clinic right away when a bracket comes off?
It is usually not an emergency, but an appointment should be made within a short time. In the meantime, sharp surfaces are covered with wax. The detached piece can be kept and brought to the appointment.
Can I cut a poking wire myself?
No. The cut piece can be swallowed or enter the airway. Use wax temporarily and get guidance from the doctor.
What should I do if I lose an elastic?
Put on a spare elastic as the doctor showed you. If you have no spare, call the clinic and get new ones. Do not wear two elastics at once.
In which situations should I go to the emergency room?
You should go to the emergency room in cases of a blow to the face, a broken or loose tooth, a swallowed piece of wire or bracket, shortness of breath, swelling and fever.