Is a Broken Braces Wire an Emergency?

Braces are an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth and aligns your jaw using brackets and wires. The brackets are attached to your teeth and an archwire runs through them. Metal bands on your molars anchor the wire in place. 

At some orthodontic appointments, the wires might be changed, forcing your teeth and jaw to move to their new positions.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a wire to break or pop out of place. In fact, one study showed that it’s a common orthodontic-related emergency. If your braces wire has popped out or broken off, you might wonder if it needs immediate repair or if it can wait until your next appointment. 

At Hanachi Orthodontics in Gastonia and Mooresville, North Carolina, our team led by orthodontist Farid Hanachi, DDS, PA, understands that it can feel worrisome to break a braces wire. 

In this month’s blog, we’ve highlighted some ways to know if it’s an emergency or if you can manage it yourself at home.

Does a broken wire require immediate treatment?

Damaged braces wires are common because there are so many different things that can cause them to break, including eating hard or sticky foods, incurring a mouth injury, or picking at your braces to dislodge food. 

If your wire does break, contact our office immediately to get an appointment scheduled. When a wire breaks, not only will the braces no longer be effective, but also the wire can stick out and start to cause sores and lacerations inside your mouth.

When you call us about a broken wire, our team will ask about the severity of the damage. If it’s mild and isn’t causing you any pain, you should be able to wait until your next appointment. However, if it’s severely damaged and causing issues, we’ll have you come in as quickly as possible. 

Temporary remedies for a broken wire

While you wait for your appointment, there are some things you can do to protect your mouth against cuts and sores. Here are a few you can start with:

• Place dental wax on top of the wire to create a barrier 
• Use a pencil eraser to push the wire away from your lips and cheek
• Rinse your mouth with salt water to relieve any cuts

It’s important to note that you should never try to cut the damaged wire. You may cause further damage and you run the risk of inhaling the clipped wire. 

Once you come into our office, we replace the wire and provide antibiotics for cuts that are deep or infected. 

To schedule your appointment for a broken braces wire, simply call your nearest office location or use our online booking feature today.