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Managing Emergencies

If you're experiencing discomfort or an issue with your braces or aligners, don't worry—many common problems can be managed at home with simple steps. This guide provides advice to help you address minor emergencies until you can visit our clinic.

Braces - Broken Brackets

If the loose bracket is not bothering you, you can leave it, as it will just spin on the wire. However, if it does bother you, here are a few things you can do to manage the situation:

Try to Keep the Bracket in Place: If it is irritating your gums or cheeks, you can apply orthodontic wax (supplied in your starter pack) over the bracket to stick it to the wire.

Useful tip: Make sure to grab a decent amount of wax ie. large pea size. Also make sure to dry the brace with a paper towel before sticking the wax on.

Remove the Broken Bracket: If the bracket has come loose and it is the very last bracket at the back, you can slide the bracket off the wire if you feel comfortable doing so.
Avoid Tightening or Moving the Braces: Do not attempt to adjust or tighten the wire yourself. Instead, use wax to cushion any sharp edges until you can visit us.

Braces - Broken or Long Wires

A broken or long wire can cause discomfort by poking into the inside of your cheek or gum. Here’s how to handle it:

Cut the Wire: If the wire is too long and causing pain, you can use a pair of clean nail clippers or scissors to trim the wire. Be careful not to cut too close to the braces or your gums.
Apply Wax: To ease any discomfort, cover the wire with orthodontic wax to prevent further irritation.

Aligners - Broken attachments or buttons

Sometimes the small attachments on your teeth can become loose or detach from the surface of your tooth. If this happens, don’t panic!

No Immediate Action Needed: A detached attachment typically doesn’t interfere with your treatment right away. Continue wearing your aligners as scheduled, and we will fix the attachment at your next appointment.
Stop wearing your elastics: If the button has detached for your elastics, please stop wearing your elastics completely until the button is fixed at your next appointment. Wearing your elastics on one side only can cause your bite to become uneven.

Aligners - Lost or broken aligners

Losing or breaking your aligners can be a concern, but it’s important to remain calm. Here’s what to do:

If You Lose an Aligner: If your aligner is lost or damaged, try to find your previous set of aligners and wear them until you can reach us. Wearing your last set will help maintain your progress.
If Your Aligner is Broken: If your current aligner is cracked or broken, do not attempt to fix it. If possible, wear your last set of aligners and contact us immediately. If the breakage is small, you can continue wearing the current aligner until the original changeover date.

Aligners - Aligner are not fitting

If your aligners no longer seem to fit correctly, here’s what to do:

Check the Fit: Make sure your aligners are seated properly. If they don’t fit snugly, they might not be fully aligned with your teeth. Try pushing them back into place with gentle pressure. It is also a good idea to make sure you are using your chewies at least 3-4 times a day.
Return to the Previous Set: If the aligner doesn’t fit, you can go back to wearing your previous set of aligners until you can reach out to us for advice.

Need further assistance?

We know that dealing with orthodontic issues can be stressful. If you're unsure about what to do, or if you're experiencing pain or discomfort that can't be resolved at home, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Please contact our rooms on (03) 9583 5915 or reception@mportho.com.au. If possible please send through a photo so our staff can assess your situation more accurately. We're here to ensure your orthodontic journey stays on track.

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