How to Fix Braces

Braces make our smiles wider, our teeth straighter and help to correct anatomical biting problems, but caring for them can be problematic especially if a bracket pops, a bracket door opens or an elastics post fall off on a weekend or holiday. Here are a few quick ways to fix these three most common problems.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Denture adhesive
• Dental pick
• 2 pairs of miniature pliers

1. Affix denture adhesive to the back of a popped bracket to temporarily stabilize it until you can see your orthodontist for proper repair. If a bracket pops on any of your end molars, call you orthodontist for immediate emergency repair as an end bracket can slide off of your archwire leaving the wire exposed enough to injure or even puncture your cheek.
2. Push the archwire back into your Damon or similar bracket if your bracket door has popped open. Try to push only on the wire and not your tooth or surrounding teeth, as the teeth may be sensitive to touch. With a fingernail or dental pick, push the door back into place.
3. Pick up your metal elastics post if your post has popped off of the archwire. Check the metal fastener. If it is broken, call your orthodontist for instructions or simply do not wear your elastics for a day or two until you can schedule an appointment. If the fastener is unbroken, push the post back onto the archwire in its appropriate area and hold in place with your fingertips or a pair of pliers. Pinch the fastener firmly onto the wire with your other pair of miniature pliers.

Tips & Warnings

• This article should not be construed as medical advice. Attempting to repair your braces on your own can result in the loss of any warranties that you have through your orthodontist and can create the need for expensive repairs should you accidentally damage the braces or your teeth.