FAQ / Self Help/Videos
Fixed Appliances | Retainers/Removable Appliances | Invisalign
Most orthodontic appliances can be left in situ for some months without detriment to the patient if the patient continues with the usual after care instructions:
Exemplary oral hygiene - brushing 3 times a day with their standard toothbrush, followed by interproximal brush use. As an adjunct, use of fluoride mouthrinse once a day.
Low sugar diet - where possible avoid all snacking on sugars and drinks with ADDED SUGAR. Fizzy drinks should be avoid in particular.
Avoid hard, sticky and hard foodstuffs that could break the brace wire or fracture brackets (debond) off a tooth.
Fixed Appliances
My wire has come out of the tube at the back of my brace. What should I do?
If possible, you can insert the wire back into the tube yourself at home. Take a pair of clean tweezers, grip the wire, and try to slot the wire back into the hole in the tube.
If this is not possible you can simply tuck the end of the wire under the tube which should stop it from poking into your cheek.
My wire is long and poking out the back of my brace. What should I do?
If this has happened you can apply some wax to the poking wire. You will need to dry the area first. To do this, pull your cheek out of the way and try to dry the wire/back bracket with a clean tissue. Once it is dry, take a small ball of dental wax and push it on to the area, gently molding it around the bracket and wire so it is covered. If you don't have any dental wax it can be ordered off the internet. Alternatively you can use blue tac or the wax that covers Baby Bel cheese - these items will do the same job!
I have a loose bracket. What should I do?
A loose or broken bracket generally shouldn't cause any problems and is nothing to be concerned about. If it is moving around on the wire then you can apply some dental wax.
I'm having problems with my gold chain. What should I do?
If the gold chain was recently placed (after surgical exposure of a buried tooth) and is now dangling down, it may be possible to cut it. Gold is quite a soft metal and it may be possible to cut the chain using some nail scissors or nail clippers. Always hold the loose end with tweezers or a similar item. If possible leave at least 5 links through the gum so it can be used later by your Orthodontic team.
If you have non dissolvable coloured stitches we can discuss about the feasibility of removing them at home using nail scissors to prevent a minor infection in the gum.
One of my metal bands (metal rings on back teeth used on some patients) is loose. What should I do?
If the band is very loose then we may be able to talk you through the removal of the band and trimming of the wire depending on your stage of treatment. It may also be the case that we advise you to leave the band in your mouth. If this is the case then please ensure you adhere to good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet to prevent decay under the band and around your tooth.
My Quadhelix, TPA or TPA + Nance( devices on the roof of the mouth connecting either side) is loose. What should I do?
These are used for expansion of upper jaw or to hold back teeth. Push the metal band back onto the tooth if it will locate and ensure you adhere to good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet to prevent decay under the band and around your tooth. If this isn't possible we may be able to provide more specific advice according to the nature of the looseness of the appliance.
The end of a ligature wire has come out from under my main archwire and is poking me. What should I do?
All you need to do is tuck the end of the wire back under the archwire again. This can be done using the end of a tea soon, a rubber on a pencil or tweezers. If the wire is broken you can try to remove it with tweezers. If the end of the wire poking is very long you can try to cut it yourself with nail cutters or scissors. You can also cover the end with dental wax, cheese wax or Blu Tac.
My spring/coil has come off. What should I do?
This will not cause any problems and is OK to leave.
Blue separators- what should I do if they have fallen out or are still in my mouth and my next appointment has been cancelled?
If the separator has fallen out this is OK to leave. If your separators are still in your mouth and we have unfortunately had to cancel your next appointment due to the ongoing COVID-19 then ideally you need to remove these at home yourself. This can easily be done by hooking the end of a safety pin, small paper clip or wooden tooth pick through the separator and gently pulling it out.
One of my modules (coloured bands) has come off. What should I do?
No action is required here. If needed try and make the wire where the module has been lost secure with dental wax.
My power chain has snapped or come off. What should I do?
This should not cause you any problems and is not a cause for concern.
I am having problems with my removable elastics bands. What should I do?
If you experience any problems with your elastics then simply stop wearing them. They will be reviewed as needed in future. This is nothing to be concerned about.
More information about elastic wear can be found by clicking the link below:
https://www.bos.org.uk/Portals/0/Public/docs/Advice%20Sheets/COVID19%20FACTSHEETS/Orthodontic%20Elastic%20Wear%20Fact%20Sheet%20diagrams.pdf
Retainers/removable appliance
My removable retainer is broken. What should I do?
If only a small part of your retainer has broken off from the back, you can still wear the bigger part. Please do not wear the small part- dispose of this safely and immediately. If your retainer has snapped in half and is now in 2 equal sized pieces then you can still wear both parts. However, it is only safe to wear your broken retainer during the day when you are awake.
Please DO NOT wear a broken retainer during the night when you are sleeping as it is a choking hazard.
I've lost my retainer. What should I do?
Ideally we would need to see you for a new impression. However when this is not possible due to a prolonged shutdown, you could consider ordering online a heat mouldable gumshield to use and wear at night to reduce the risk of unwanted tooth movement. It should be noted that these appliances aren't specifically designed to hold teeth in position and is only a temporary measure, so the manufacturer cannot be held responsible for any unwanted movement. A link to an example of such gumshield is given below:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GAME-GUARD-Gumshield-BLUE-Junior/dp/B002PCOQNI/
My retainer has a crack or hole in in it. What should I do?
Generally holes and cracks do not cause any problems and are not a cause for concern providing your retainer still fits well. You could consider wearing your retainer only part time which may help to prolong the life of the retainer.
My wired removable retainer/appliance is loose. What should I do?
If your appliance is loose but still fits in your mouth you can try to wear it as best as possible but only do this during the day when you are awake.
Please DO NOT wear a loose appliance during the night when you are sleeping as it is a choking hazard.
My fixed retainer is broken. What should I do?
Please make sure you wear your removable retainer every night. By doing this your teeth should be held in their current position.
Invisalign
I have no more aligners to move on to. What should I do?
Please keep wearing your current aligners as this will keep the teeth in their current position. If you were only at nights, this will make the aligners last longer. We are the process of going through the records of our Invisalign patients to work out a strategy. We may be able to post the aligners to you home address if need be. Please call us or email us if you would like us to do this.
My current aligner is broken and cannot be worn. What should I do?
Please go back to the last aligner and make sure this is worn. It will hold the teeth in their current position. For example, if you are currently using aligner 9 and that cannot be worn, go back to number 8 and keep wearing these aligners. Again, wear at nights so that they last longer.