Broken brace
Let us know what has happened and we will tell you what to do next.
Fixed brace, removable brace, Twin Block or aligner broken, loose or missing? Fill in the form below and we will be in touch to tell you what to do next.
Is something sharp causing you pain? Just call the practice on 028 3870 2623.
Had a knock to the face or broken a tooth? Get urgent dental advice from your regular dentist, and then let us know what they have advised.
- Please never try to fix your brace yourself. If you can, keep wearing it unless we tell you to stop, and keep attending 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.
Is something sharp causing you pain? Please call the practice on 028 3870 2623 instead of using this form.
Report a broken brace
Use this form for a fixed brace, a removable brace or a Twin Block. For a retainer after treatment has finished, please use the Lost or broken retainer form instead.
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 3870 2623. If you are in pain because something is sharp in your mouth, just phone our practice on 028 3870 2623.
When a brace breaks more than once
Most breakages come from food that is hard, sticky or chewy, or from habits like nail or pen biting. While a brace is broken, the teeth stop moving as planned, so every breakage adds time to treatment. This is how we handle repeated breakages:
The first time
We fix the brace, run through the food advice with you again and give you a leaflet to keep.
The second time
We fix it, give a spoken reminder that is recorded in your notes, and write to the parent or carer.
The third time
We write a formal warning letter for a parent or carer to sign and send back to us.
If it keeps happening
We ask you to come to a review with our specialist orthodontist, where we talk about whether stopping treatment early and taking the braces off is the best option, with a new referral once your child is ready to look after a brace.
Our aim is never to get to that final stage. If a breakage is a genuine accident, for example during sport, we will always talk it through with you, and you can ask for help or advice whenever you need it.