My Braces Bracket Broke...What Should I Do?
If you have started braces, chances are at some point a bracket will break or come loose. It is one of the most common orthodontic issues. Knowing what to do when a bracket breaks can prevent bigger problems and keep your treatment on track.
Why Brackets Break
Brackets are bonded to the surface of your teeth with adhesive. Although they are strong, they can break if too much force is applied. The most common reasons include eating hard or sticky foods, accidentally biting down the wrong way, or trauma from sports or falls. Sometimes adhesive fails for unknown reasons, especially early in treatment.
What To Do When It Happens
If a bracket becomes loose but remains attached to the wire, leave it in place until you can see Dr. Crossley. Use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp edges that irritate your cheeks or lips. If the entire bracket has broken off the tooth, save it and bring it to your next appointment.
Never attempt to glue or reattach a bracket yourself. Home repairs can create improper positioning and slow down treatment.
Does a Broken Bracket Delay Treatment?
A single broken bracket usually does not ruin your progress if fixed quickly. If several brackets break regularly or if treatment appointments are missed for too long, delays can occur. That is why we emphasize eating braces-safe foods and keeping scheduled visits at Crossley Orthodontics.
How to Prevent Breakage
Avoid hard candies, sticky caramel, popcorn kernels, and chewing ice.
Wear a sports mouthguard if you participate in contact sports.
Maintain good oral hygiene so brackets remain firmly bonded.
Broken brackets are inconvenient but manageable. Call us as soon as it happens, do what you can for comfort in the meantime, and you will be back on track quickly!