Broken brace
Tell us what has happened and we will let you know what to do next.
Has your fixed brace, removable brace, Twin Block or aligner broken, come loose or gone missing? Tell us using the form below and we will contact you to let you know what to do next.
Something sharp and causing pain? Just call the practice on 028 9045 1303.
Knock to the face or a broken tooth? Get urgent dental advice from your regular dentist, then let us know what they have advised.
- Never try to repair your brace yourself. Keep wearing it if you can, unless we tell you to stop, and keep coming to your appointments.
- Wire poking or rubbing? Press a small piece of orthodontic wax over the part that rubs. This should give you relief for a few hours. Keep applying it until you come to the practice to get it fixed, so you are not in pain.
- More help: brace care and problems and our patient information leaflets.
Something sharp and causing pain? Please call the practice on 028 9045 1303 instead of using this form.
Report a broken brace
This form is for fixed braces, removable braces and Twin Blocks. If your problem is with a retainer after treatment, please use our Lost or broken retainer form.
Form not showing? Open the form in a new tab.
We usually get back to patients within 1–2 business days. If you have not heard from us within 2 business days, please call the practice on 028 9045 1303. If you are in pain because something is sharp in your mouth, just phone our practice on 028 9045 1303.
If your brace keeps breaking
Breakages happen, and most are caused by hard, sticky or chewy food, or by habits such as biting nails or pens. Each one slows treatment, because your teeth stop moving as planned until the brace is fixed. If breakages keep happening, we follow a simple step-by-step approach:
First breakage
We repair the brace, go over the food advice again and give you a leaflet to take home.
Second breakage
We repair it, give a verbal reminder (noted in your records) and send a letter to the parent or carer.
Third breakage
We send a formal warning letter, which we ask a parent or carer to sign and return.
If breakages continue
We invite you to a review with our specialist orthodontist to discuss whether it is best to stop treatment early and remove the braces, with a new referral when your child is ready to look after a brace.
We would much rather never reach that last step. A genuine accident, such as a sports injury, will always be discussed with you, and you can ask us for help or advice at any stage.