Putting the wire back into braces can be tricky but is an important part of orthodontic treatment. The wires apply pressure to move the teeth into proper alignment. If a wire pops out it must be replaced properly to keep progress on track. Knowing how to put wires back into braces ensures you can promptly address issues until you can see your orthodontist.
How To Put The Wire Back In Braces? is a common question for those undergoing orthodontic treatment. Wires can unexpectedly pop out while eating or brushing leaving many unsure what to do next. Thankfully replacing wires is manageable once you understand the proper techniques. Knowing how wires should fit and using orthodontic wax makes the process far less stressful.
While orthodontists are the experts at fitting braces and wires, patients still need to know basics like how to put the wire back in braces. This helps avoid lengthy periods with missing tension that can slow progress. With some instruction on properly fitting wires, using sterile tweezers, and finishing with orthodontic wax, the wire can be put back in place temporarily. This small but important skill keeps treatment moving forward in between appointments.
How Do You Reinsert The Wire Into Braces Key?
You can use clean tweezers to carefully reinsert archwires that have slipped out of the molar bracket3. Gently grab the end of the wire with the tweezers and insert it back into the bracket slot, then use orthodontic wax to keep it in place. Be very careful when doing this yourself as improper wire placement could cause damage. It’s best to have your orthodontist reinsert wires.
Why Did My Braces Key Wire Come Out?
Wires can come loose if brackets break or bands come off, often due to eating hard, sticky, or crunchy foods which can damage orthodontic appliances145. The adhesive holding brackets can also weaken over time. If a wire comes out completely, do not try to reinsert it yourself. Save the wire and contact your orthodontist for reattachment as soon as possible.
What Tools Do I Need To Reinsert Braces Key Wire?
If the wire is still attached to the bracket, the recommended tools are clean tweezers to move the wire, and orthodontic wax to cover sharp wire ends34. You may also use a cotton swab, pencil eraser, or gauze to dry the area so wax sticks. Do not use unclean tools in your mouth. Only use tweezers to reinsert loose wires as a last resort until seeing an orthodontist.
What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Handling Braces Key Wire?
Precautions when handling loose wires include keeping hands and tools clean before placing anything in your mouth, only using orthodontic wax on clean wires, carefully pulling cheeks away from sharp wires, having an adult help you, and seeing an orthodontist ASAP35. Do not try reinserting wires not attached to brackets. Use wax to cover sharp ends. Seek orthodontist help with proper wire placement.
Where Exactly Does The Braces Key Wire Go?
The archwire connects orthodontic brackets glued to each tooth, curving around to slowly move teeth2. Loose archwires should be reinserted back into the bracket slot they came out of, using clean tweezers if still attached. If the wire came out completely, Before And After Braces Change Lips do not reinsert it yourself. Save it and have your orthodontist reattach it in the proper bracket slots.
Step-By-Step Process For Reinserting Braces Key Wire
The step-by-step process for reinserting braces key wire is:
- Use orthodontic pliers to grasp the key wire.
- Guide the key wire back into the bracket slot.
- Use steady, gentle pressure to push the wire fully into place in the slot. Avoid using excessive force.
- Use dental floss to secure the wire against the brace.
How Do I Properly Align The Braces Key Wire Before Reinserting?
Before reinserting the key wire, use orthodontic pliers to properly realign it. Grasp the wire with pliers and gently manipulate it back into its original shape and position. Visually inspect from multiple angles to ensure the key wire is realigned as close as possible to the original placement. The wire should follow the contour of the braces and fit cleanly into each bracket slot.
How Much Force Should Be Used To Reinsert The Braces Key Wire?
Use gentle yet firm steady pressure when reinserting the realigned key wire back into the bracket slots. Avoid excessive or uneven force, as too much pressure can damage the brackets or hurt the teeth. The key wire should slide smoothly back into position with light force. If strong resistance is felt, realign the wire before attempting to reinsert again.
How Can I Ensure The Braces Key Wire Is Securely In Place?
After reinsertion, gently press along the wire with an instrument to ensure it sits securely in each bracket slot. Visually inspect from multiple angles that the wire is cleanly seated. Finally, use orthodontic elastic bands or dental floss to gently tie the wire against the braces. The bands or floss help prevent the wire from slipping out. Periodically check that the wire remains properly in place.
How Do I Know If The Braces Key Wire Is Correctly Reinserted?
The key wire is correctly reinserted if it sits cleanly within each bracket slot, following the contour of the braces. It should be tied securely against the braces with bands or floss and have no sharp edges poking out.
From multiple visual angles, the key wire should appear straight, without warping or distortion. Use an instrument to gently press along the wire’s length and confirm it remains seated in the brackets without slipping. If needed, consult your orthodontist to inspect and confirm correct reinsertion.
Common Mistakes When Reinserting Braces Key Wire
The most common mistakes when reinserting a braces key wire are not properly aligning the wire with the brackets, not fully inserting the wire into all the brackets, and bending or kinking the wire while trying to insert it. Patients may use too much force trying to insert the wire, causing it to bend, or may not have proper visibility and accidentally skip brackets when reinserting.
What Happens If The Braces Key Wire Is Not Properly Aligned?
If the key wire is not properly realigned with the brackets after it comes out, the teeth will not move as intended during treatment. Misaligned wires can lead to uneven force distribution, causing some teeth to shift incorrectly while others do not move at all.
This can lengthen overall treatment time. In severe cases, misaligned wires may also cause bracket breakage or unwanted tipping or rotation of teeth.
What Are Signs The Braces Key Wire Was Not Fully Reinserted?
Signs that the key wire was not fully reinserted include visible gaps between the wire and some brackets, the wire sticking out of the brackets it did go through, pain or discomfort localized around brackets where the wire is not inserted, and a sense that the teeth feel differently than before the wire came out.
There may also be minimal or no discomfort around the areas where the wire was successfully reinserted.
How Can Reinserting The Braces Key Wire Improperly Affect Treatment?
Reinserting the key wire improperly can significantly set back braces treatment progress. As detailed above, misaligned wires can lead to incorrect tooth movements, lengthening total treatment time.
In severe cases, it can even introduce new problems that then also need to be corrected, further increasing treatment length. Especially later in treatment, inserting key wires improperly can reverse progress as teeth shift back towards their original positions.
How Can I Avoid Damaging My Braces Key When Reinserting Wire?
To avoid damaging braces key components when reinserting wire, use slow, gentle pressure, stopping if excessive resistance indicates potential damage. Ensure good visibility and check all brackets for proper alignment.
Seek orthodontic assistance if needed rather than continuing to force the wire and risk breakage. Finally, handle only the exposed wire ends rather than pulling on the wire segments in brackets to avoid accidental bending during the process.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Get The Braces Key Wire Back In?
If you are unable to get your braces key wire back into place, do not panic. First, rinse your mouth out to remove any blood or debris. You can try using orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to hold the wire in place temporarily if it is poking your cheek. However, you should not leave the wire out for long, as it can lead to your teeth shifting.
Call your orthodontist’s office as soon as possible and explain the situation – they will schedule an emergency appointment to reinsert the wire. Leaving the wire out for an extended period can set your treatment back.
When Is It Best To Seek Professional Help With My Braces Key?
You should seek professional help from your orthodontist anytime your braces key wire comes out and you are unable to get it back in place yourself. Do not leave the wire out for more than a day, as even a short time without the braces applying pressure can allow your teeth to shift.
Getting the wire reinserted quickly is important to stay on track with your orthodontic treatment plan. Call your orthodontist’s office right away in any situation where your braces key wire comes loose or out, and you are unable to immediately snap it back into place.
What Will Happen At My Orthodontist’s Office To Fix The Braces Key Wire?
When you visit your orthodontist with a loose or detached braces key wire, they will first examine your teeth and braces to check for any damage. If part of the wire or any brackets have broken, those will need to be replaced before the wire can be reinserted. Your orthodontist or assistant will then use special pliers to properly align the wire and snap it back into the brackets.
This should quickly remedy the issue and get your teeth back to moving properly again. Depending on what caused the wire to come out, your orthodontist may also recommend or apply some orthodontic wax or other protective layering.
What Orthodontic Emergency Services Are Available For Braces Key Issues?
Most orthodontic offices have an on-call line or emergency number you can contact if you experience a braces key wire issue outside normal business hours. If available, this emergency orthodontic service should be able to schedule you to come in and have your wire reinserted promptly, even on nights and weekends.
For extreme issues that prohibit eating, severe pain, or injury, the on-call orthodontist may direct you to visit an emergency dentist or oral surgeon until your regular orthodontist is available. Ask your provider what emergency orthodontic services they can provide should any braces problems arise.
How Can I Prevent My Braces Key Wire From Coming Out Again?
To help prevent your braces key wire from detaching again, be careful when eating hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy foods. Avoid chewing on pens, nails or other hard objects. Use orthodontic wax on any areas that are irritating your cheeks. See your orthodontist promptly if you notice loose brackets or poking wires.
Attending all scheduled adjustment visits allows issues to be caught early and also advances your treatment. Following your orthodontist’s home care instructions between visits is also crucial for avoiding broken wires and hardware. Let them know if the braces cause frequent irritation or discomfort.
Precautions Should I Take After Reinserting Braces Key Wire
After reinserting a braces key wire, it is important to take precautions to allow proper healing and prevent further damage. Be very gentle with the area for 24-48 hours, avoiding hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could re-loosen or bend the wires.
Rinse gently after meals and use orthodontic wax or gauze to protect irritated areas. Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed for soreness. Avoid playing contact sports or activities that carry a high risk of facial and mouth injuries until the wires and brackets are stabilized. Call your orthodontist right away if you have persistent pain, bleeding, or loss of feeling or motion in the area.
How Can I Check That My Braces Key Wire Was Reinserted Correctly?
You can check that your braces key wire was reinserted properly by running your tongue gently over the area and feeling that the wire is flush against your teeth. There should be no pointed or protruding ends. Visually inspect from all angles using a mirror to check for gaps between wire and brackets.
Try gently biting down – your bite should feel normal and even, not off-center or lopsided. As your orthodontist for them to demonstrate proper placement so you know what it should feel and look like. Inform them right away if anything feels or looks abnormal.
What Should I Avoid Eating After Reinserting The Braces Key Wire?
After reinserting a braces key wire, avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky, and sharp foods for 3-5 days to allow proper healing. Foods to avoid include nuts, seeds, popcorn, hard candies, ice, raw vegetables, gum, caramel, taffy, beef jerky, and any other foods that could further loosen or damage orthodontic appliances.
Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pudding, soup, pasta, steamed vegetables and soft fruits. Thoroughly cut up fruits and vegetables into small pieces before eating. And take small bites, chewing slowly and carefully on both sides.
How Long Should I Wait To Put Pressure On My Braces Key After Reinsertion?
It’s best to avoid putting direct pressure on a braces key wire for at least 24 hours after it has been reinserted by your orthodontist. The adhesive needs sufficient time to fully harden in order to properly stabilize the wire. Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods, and do not use your tongue or fingers to push or pull on the wire.
After 24 hours, the wire should be stable enough for light eating of soft foods. However, continue taking precautions for 3-5 days. Call your orthodontist if the wire feels loose or painful when eating after 48 hours, as it may need to be re-secured.
What Are Signs Of Complications From Improper Braces Key Wire Reinsertion?
Signs of potential complications from improper braces key wire reinsertion include persistent pain or discomfort that lasts more than 3 days, redness and swelling around the area, a loose or protruding wire, damage to the interior lip/cheek/gum tissue, abnormal bite sensation (uneven contact), tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, and loss of feeling/numbness in nearby teeth or skin.
If you experience any of these issues, especially after 48 hours, contact your orthodontist’s office right away to have the wire placement evaluated and corrected as needed to prevent more serious problems. Leaving an improperly positioned wire unchecked can lead to tooth damage and oral health issues.
Frequently Asked Question
What Tools Do I Need To Reinsert Brace Wire?
You will need orthodontic pliers, wire cutters, a wire inserter, and replacement brace wire.
How Do I Remove The Broken Wire From My Braces?
Use orthodontic pliers to gently pry the broken wire out of the brace brackets.
Where Does The New Brace Wire Get Inserted?
The new wire gets threaded through the small opening in each brace bracket going across your teeth.
What If I Can’t Get The Wire Back Into My Braces?
Visit your orthodontist to have them properly reinsert the wire into your braces.
Can I Close The Gap Between My Teeth Without The Brace Wire?
No, you need the brace wire in place applying pressure to actually move teeth and close gaps over time.
Conclusion
Putting a wire back in braces can be tricky, but is possible to do at home temporarily before seeing an orthodontist. First, sterilize tweezers and carefully slide the wire back into place in the brackets. Use a pencil eraser or cotton swab to gently bend the wire to fit. Next, apply orthodontic wax over the wire and brackets to help secure it.
In conclusion, while broken braces wires should be repaired professionally, you can temporarily relieve discomfort and secure the appliances. Use sterilized tools to slide the wire back into brackets, then bend it into place with a soft object. Finally, hold it there by putting orthodontic wax over the hardware.
