mBrace Frisco Orthodontics Releases Article: Advice On Dealing With Broken Brace Wires

mBrace Frisco Orthodontics, an orthodontist office in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, has released a new article offering advice to wearers of braces about what to do if a wire on their braces snaps.

Those using regular metal braces may have to deal with a broken wire sooner or later. Though the wires are durable it is not out of the ordinary to have to deal with a wire that snapped off for no fault of the wearer. There can be many reasons behind the wire snapping such as outdoor sports or sudden movements while working out. The doctor reassures that there is nothing to panic about as it can be easily fixed at home or in an orthodontist visit.

The first step one can take is to contact the orthodontist and let them know about the severity of the situation. Based on how serious the breakage is, the doctor might be able to suggest a temporary at-home solution. The biggest thing to watch out for is the sharpness of the broken end of the wire. If the broken-off bit is sharp and rubbing against the inside of the mouth, the gums, or the teeth then immediate action is required.

The best way to mitigate the damage from the broken-off end is to apply a bead of orthodontic wax that is given to the patient by the doctor. This will soften the edge of the wire and make it less likely to injure the cheek or gums. Another recommended solution is bending the wire back into place. This is applicable if the snapped wire is protruding too far out for the wax to cover it.

Finally, in cases where the patient won’t be able to see the doctor for a long amount of time, as a last-ditch effort, the patient can try trimming the wire themselves. This, however, has to be done very cautiously, preferably by another person helping the patient. All it requires is a good pair of nail clippers. The blog post cautions the reader to be careful not to swallow the piece of clipped wire. To avoid swallowing it, it is recommended to do the procedure by leaning slightly forward so that the piece of wire falls straight down where it can be caught on a napkin or cloth.

If the patient does end up cutting the inside of their mouth on the broken wire, treatment should be sought immediately. The quickest way is to use an oral-safe topical pain reliever like Anbesol. It is also important to frequently rinse the mouth with salt water to rinse the wound clean.

Dr. Shireen, owner, and head orthodontist at eMbrace, talks about what to do in such a situation by saying, “We deal with broken brace wires all the time. You just have to take a little bit of care to prevent it from becoming a bigger issue. Make sure to keep the orthodontic wax that we provide on hand. Also, keep an oral-safe topical pain reliever in your first aid kit. We go through these recommendations when we install braces so that in case a need for them arises, the patient has access to them. At the end of the day, remember to stay cool and don’t let the prospect of a broken wire scare you from fixing your smile.”

eMbrace Orthodontics installs all kinds of braces including metal braces, WildSmiles braces, Clear (Ceramic) braces, and Invisalign. They provide services for both children and adults. The clinic uses state-of-the-art 3D scans and simulations to ensure the right fitting and giving the client an interactive view of their mouth before and after the application of braces. The clinic works at convenient timings to accommodate a family’s schedule. It also offers customers flexible payment options to fit the family’s budget.

The clinic can be reached at the phone number (469) 362-6820. There is also a contact form on the website to request an appointment online. Readers can follow the clinic on its social media to stay updated with other news.