Question 1

How can I fix my broken brace?

Accepted Answer

If it is NOT painful, eat soft food and eat on a side, away from the breakage to prevent any further damage to the brace. We may wish for you to come in sooner than your next appointment.  If it is PAINFUL, we are happy to see you urgently. The offending part could be covered with orthodontic wax, Babybel wax or chewing gum temporarily.   At the weekend or if you are on holiday, please carry out any emergency treatment necessary to make you more comfortable - through an emergency dentist or DIY using nail clippers to cut long wires if possible.  If there has been an accidental injury to your mouth or face, resulting in a severe breakage or a knock to your teeth, you may need to go straight away to a hospital A&E. Don't worry about the brace itself, we will fix it as necessary.

Question 2

My fixed brace is digging into my lips or cheek

Accepted Answer

Try to use orthodontic wax, Babybel wax or chewing gum to cover the offending part - dry the area first.  If the wire is long at the back because it has popped out of the last tube, you can try to re-insert it with tweezers or try to tuck it out of the away under the bracket. If the last metal bracket has broken, the long wire will protrude into the cheek. It can be cut in an emergency or the broken bracket can be re-fixed on the tooth by us. You can try using nail clippers to cut the thinner flexible wires placed in the early stages of treatment.   You may need an emergency appointment with us or an emergency dentist. Your brace can be fixed by us at any time after the event.

Question 3

How can I stop my brace giving me ulcers?

Accepted Answer

If your brace is rubbing against your lips and cheeks sometimes ulcers can appear. It is important to cover the trouble areas in wax in order to let them heal. Try to use orthodontic wax, Babybel wax or chewing gum to cover the offending part - dry the area first.  To reduce any swelling caused by the brace, use 1 teaspoon of salt in hot water (as hot as you can bare it). Use this solution to rinse your mouth with 3-4 times a day. Simple, but it works!

Question 4

My aligner doesn’t fit properly

Accepted Answer

If your aligner isn’t fitting like a ‘glove’ and there is space between your aligner and your teeth, please take a photo and e-mail it to us. We will probably ask you to go back to your previous aligner because your teeth may not be moving well, or you may not have worn your aligners correctly.

Question 5

My removable retainers are not fitting, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you have not been wearing your retainers for any reason, your teeth may have moved. There may be a chance of recovering the situation by forcing the retainers onto your teeth, wearing them full time for 48h+ to try to move the teeth back into alignment.  The teeth may become painful as they move, take your normal painkillers regularly to help during this difficult period. Make sure you check your progress with us as soon as you can.   If your teeth are moving despite wearing retainers as advised, please wear them full time and call us as soon as possible. Growth of the wisdom teeth can cause sudden changes and make it difficult to wear your retainers.  If they don't fit at all, it may be too late to retrieve the situation easily.

BRACE PROBLEMS

My fixed brace is broken

My fixed brace is digging into my lips or cheek

My brace is causing me ulcers

My teeth are wobbly

My fixed retainer is broken

I have lost my aligners

My aligner doesn’t fit properly

My aligner is causing me ulcers

My removable retainers are not fitting

I have lost my removable retainers