How do I Remove a Loose Bracket from Orthodontic Braces?

Orthodontic brackets, glued to the teeth and held in place by a wire, rarely come loose but can get knocked out of place during a rough sport or by eating hard foods. If a bracket comes loose, leave it in place if possible and contact your orthodontist immediately so he can glue it back on for you.

Instructions

• 1

  Sterilize a pair of small metal tweezers you can easily fit into your mouth in the space in front of the loose bracket.

• 2

  Use the tweezers to carefully remove the ligature. The ligature is the small rubber band or piece of wire that holds the arch wire into place on the brackets. Start with a top corner and move your way carefully around the bracket.

• 3

  Gently wiggle the bracket loose from the wire and remove it from your mouth. Take care not to bend the wire in any way when removing the bracket. Bending the wire could alter the movement of your teeth and slow down the treatment process.

• 4

  Clean and dry the bracket. Place it in a plastic bag and take it with you the next time you visit your orthodontist. Set an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible because the absence of the bracket, like a bend in the wire, can slow down treatment.