Poking Archwire, Bracket, Or Tie?

The vast majority of orthodontic problems our patients face are very minor. Though they are minor, they may still cause discomfort or irritation. In general, it's best to try and soothe the immediate cause of the discomfort, and then call our office to schedule an appointment; that way, we can allot sufficient time to take care of you.

Here is one of the most common orthodontic problems our patients have, along with some tips on what you can do to relieve them this particular problem at home.

Misplaced or poking archwire, bracket or tie

As the teeth start to move, the wire that connects them (archwire) may begin poking near the back of the mouth or irritating the cheeks. You can try moving the wire into a better position with a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. If the wire won't move, you may be able to cut the end off with a nail clipper sterilized in alcohol — but before doing so, please call our office for our guidance or instructions.

Often, you can also use tweezers to gently move a misplaced wire or a tie that's causing problems.When wires or brackets cause irritation, covering the metal parts with wax will often help ease the discomfort. As with any of these types of problems, call Rhode Island Orthodontics and we'll schedule a time to see you.