Loose Braces? A Guide to Bracket Repair and Temporary Solutions

Brackets on orthodontic braces can easily get knocked lose due to eating hard food or general wear after a period of time. If a bracket comes lose, call your orthodontist immediately to set up an appointment to re-attach the bracket or put a new one on. In the mea time, either re-position the bracket into a comfortable position or remove it until your appointment.

Instructions

• 1

  Align the bracket to its normal position with the back side of it against the tooth. If the bracket will sit comfortably like this until you can get to the orthodontist, leave it like this. If not, proceed with removing the bracket.

• 2

  Remove the ligature. The ligature is the small rubber band that holds the bracket to the arch wire. Use small, sterilized tweezers and gently remove one corner of the ligature from the bracket. Continue until all corners of the bracket have been removed. If the ligature is made from wire, use the tweezers to gently unwind it from around the bracket.

• 3

  Wiggle the bracket gently lose from underneath the wire. Dry off the bracket and place it in a plastic bag. Take it with you when you go to the orthodontist to have him re-attach it.