Just Got Braces On...

[msalicia]

I got my braces put on yesterday, and for some reason, one of the brackets popped off. Should I be concerned about this? I called my ortho, but the office is closed until Monday. It is still hanging on the wire, and it seems pretty secure for the moment. Should I leave it there or try to remove it?

[Robot Teeth]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Congrats on getting your braces! Its too bad that you had a bracket pop. I am really hoping that it doesn't happen to me when I get mine on in a few weeks. I think most people will tell you to leave it there, unless it looks like it's going to come off. You don't want to swallow it. I'm sure that is a disappointment too, since you just got them on. Oh well though, eh? I'm sure you'll be able to get it taken care of right away.

[Rachel]

Sometimes the bracket doesn't completely bond to your tooth for one reason or another and that can cause it to fall off (at no fault of yours). If it's not bothering you or causing any discomfort I would just leave it be (placing wax over it can also help keep it more secure or alleviate any discomfort). I hope you are able to get into your ortho soon!

[Sunny]

Having a bracket pop of is really no major issue. If it annoys you by moving around, remove it, otherwise leave it where it is.

Give your ortho's office a call when they open and they'll tell you what to do next.

Good luck with your treatment!

[msalicia]

Thanks, guys. I tried to put wax on it, but that was unsuccessful. It kept twirling around on the wire until I finally gave up. Fortunately, it doesn't look like it's going to fall off. I'll just wait it out until Monday, and we'll see where it goes from there. I also had some wires slip out of some of the brackets yesterday when the elastics popped off. What a start to this journey!

[lasvegasann]

Don't panic.....brackets may come lose, elastics may will come off, powerbands may come off....but the ortho will take care of it....don't worry it is normal.

[msalicia]

Thank you. (: And I got an appointment for the first of July. They'll fix everything then!

[Robot Teeth]

See, thats too long if you ask me, to make someone have to deal with this. It seems like orthodontists always have too much going on.

[Rachel]

See, thats too long if you ask me, to make someone have to deal with this. It seems like orthodontists always have too much going on.

I agree. My ortho is the most well-known practice in this area and always really busy but I was able to get a same-day appointment when I popped a bracket off. I think it's because they have a ton of staff to accommodate for their large patient base. I think all orthodontists should be like that (at least able to get you in within 24-48 hours) because nobody wants to spend a lot of time waiting to get something fixed.

[lightskinnnn38]

I agree. My ortho is the most well-known practice in this area and always really busy but I was able to get a same-day appointment when I popped a bracket off. I think it's because they have a ton of staff to accommodate for their large patient base. I think all orthodontists should be like that (at least able to get you in within 24-48 hours) because nobody wants to spend a lot of time waiting to get something fixed.

When mine broke off, luckily I was able to go back in within the hour! I couldn't imagine having to delay my progress for more than a week or 2 when something can be fixed in 10-15 minutes.

[msalicia]

My orthodontist works in multiple offices, and he comes to my area every other Friday. It was disheartening, but I'll put up with it. They insisted that it wasn't that big of a problem. In order to get an appointment sooner, I'd have to drive an hour to the office he is at. What I feel is the most frustrating about the whole thing is that I did nothing to cause damage.

[Sunny]

msalicia it's quite common to have to wait until your next appoiontment, unless it's just to pop in to have the bracket removed from the archwire. The only time we will see a patient sooner than their next appointment is if they're scheduled to have surgery.

It definitely is not a big problem and please don't be concerned about that. Plus don't be concerned about the bracket coming off. Most brackets that come off, do not come off due to non compliance on the part of the patient. It's usually quite easy for the ortho to work out if something is the result of the patient chewing hard objects like pencils, or playing with the archwire and damaging the bracket.

Robot you're right we are busy people and when patients need to see us outside of their appointment time, other plans have to be changed. We aim to see patients at their appointments and work 'hands on' with each of our patients. We do see patients when necessary and usually we can work that out during the phone call ... and a bracket coming off is not considered as needing an extra appointment, but we offer to remove the bracket if it's annoying the patient.