Gate Opening on Damon Bracket

[lauralea]

Hey All,
Just wondering if anyone has any information that might help me.
I was brushing my teeth the yesterday and noticed that one of the 'gates' to the bracket is open, and I can easily slide the wire out. I pushed it up and closed it, but the next morning I noticed that it was again down. Its not like the wire is coming out, but im just wondering if its something I should be concerned about? Its only on the top brackets (Damon Clears) the bottom metal ones are closed shut. I also noticed that the gate on another bracket is loose today as well.
They were just put on a week ago, I havent called my ortho yet, do you think I should? or just keep on shutting them whenever i see them open??
Thanks all!

[annabella]

Lauralee
I would call the ortho right away. Maybe the way the wire is pushing it causing this or something is wrong with the doors. But better to call. You don't loose anything by finding out. Maybe it is just some kind of adjustment.
Let us know since tomorrow my daughter getting her bottom damons.

[lauralea]

The actual brackets are great! But I beleive it or not, I was actually able to open all the gates on the top, took my top wire out flossed and put the wire back in and was able to close the gates with no prob. I don't know if it's normal that I can do this with minimal difficulty . Anyhow it's much easier to flossthis way. Lol

[Sunny]

Lauralea please don't move the archwire unless your ortho instructs you to, as it's important to centre it correctly, so that the force is being put on the arch in the correct way.

Doors opening and doors jamming are two of the problems with the type of brackets your ortho is using. Give your ortho a call and hopefully this problem can be sorted. The doors should not be this easy to open and this may mean the clear brackets are faulty.

Good luck!

[annabella]

Hey so what foods did you eat the first day. And how did it take for teeth to start to hurt. I imagine it doesn't hurt much right after but by the end of the day. I am wondering if she should take an advil to school afterwards in case. May just give it to her in case.

[Sunny]

If your daughter is comfortable taking 'over the counter' pain meds, taking an advil with her would help just in case her mouth aches. Also make sure she has a water bottle, lip balm and wax. By keeping her body and lips well hydrated, she should feel more comfortable. Plus the wax, if needed, allows any area that rubs, to toughen without sores forming.

We tell our patients not to eat for four hours after their brackets are bonded, then to return to eating as they usually do as quickly as possible. Many patients feel scared the brackets will pop off ... which rarely happens, but during this time they'll eat soft foods, till their confidence returns.

I hope everything goes great for your daughter!

[lauralea]

I had slight pain on the 2 nd day but after that no problems, only this recent wire bracket issue. Can't get it fixes infill next week cus I'm out of town. But I will call

[annabella]

Well she got her braces and they reviewed the treatment and made some adjustments so she got her top teeth done with the Damon clear and metal. Oh by the way I asked about your doors. They said you should call immediately. Also the ortho said it needs to click shut. The tech had to use a special plier like thing to close it once the wire was in. She did that sometimes when the wire pulls the teeth and they straighten out there is more give in the wire and pressure can be placed on the door and sometimes pop it open. But that it shouldnot happen and that you shouldn't be able to take out the wire. They also did some loop at the end of the wires so they can get loose.
So she is doing okay but her canines hurt since it's pulls them down. So hopefully not too bad. The only thing was that they started putting metal instead of clear. I asked my daughter did she pick the metal instead and she said no. So they had to remove 3 brackets. I was not to happy about that so not sure what happened but they did fit her molar bands for the appliance and we got back in 3 weeks. She is happy and excited but not about the pain. She is taking advil to help.
All for now.

[Sunny]

Great your daughter's treatment has started and here's to it continuing smoothly for her!

[lauralea]

Thanks! And I'm flat things went well. Will call the office Monday as I am out of town till then. Thanks all for your imput!

[annabella]

Thanks Sunny
I hope all goes well too. Just got to tell her to brush her teeth.

[lauralea]

and dont forget to floss!!

[lauralea]

Oh and I talked to my ortho office today, they said that as long as I close the gate and the wire stays in, its fine.