In the course of orthodontic treatment, you may need coil springs to be attached with braces and sometimes it may be broken. It may be difficult to understand why you have a broken braces coil spring.
Coil springs on braces can be broken or come off due to an accident injury during outdoor sports or the patient’s negligence such as faulty tooth brushing or flossing technique, poor oral hygiene, wrong food habits, and lack of self-awareness. To fix serious problems, you should seek the advice of an orthodontist. You can solve simple problems at home with the right approach.
Other problems such as broken braces or pop-out wire may also occur because of these reasons.
In this article, we’ll discuss these reasons in detail and know what to do if your coil springs on braces pop out, how to prevent it from breaking, whether you should try to repair it, and how to fix it.
However, you can read our other article if you are wearing forsus spring and its broken.
Reasons why coil spring on braces gets broken or comes off
Coil springs on braces can come off, get loose, or get broken, but it’s not so common.
You may feel some loosening when your orthodontist activates the coil springs on braces. This is normal.
Activation is actually putting pressure on the tooth. This puts pressure on bones and helps move the tooth in the desired position.
For the first few weeks after treatment with coil springs, you might feel tight.
Besides, you can feel pain because of it. They may feel loosen over time.
But, they may also become loose when they get damaged.
Damaged coil spring delays your orthodontic treatment.
Learn about all the factors that determine how long you have to wear coil springs on braces from our other articles.
These springs are used to create space between your teeth or close the gaps after the removal of a tooth for orthodontic treatment.
Now let’s take a look at the reasons for which coils springs come off or get broken-
1. Faulty brushing and flossing technique
You can’t brush and floss with braces and coil springs in the same way you do without them.
Coil springs can be damaged by aggressive brushing or flushing. Sometimes, they can come off or become loose.
2. Not maintaining oral hygiene
Maintaining oral hygiene is very hard with braces on teeth. With a coil spring, it’s even more challenging.
But, it’s also very important to keep your mouth clean and healthy for braces. If you don’t, braces or coil springs could be damaged.
3. Wrong food habit
Eating hard food or biting on them can damage your coil springs sometimes. Problems can also be caused by sticky foods.
You can also check our other article regarding coil springs on how to eat with the springs for braces.
4. Bad oral habit
Habits, like biting on a pen or nails and pressing the coil springs with tongue, can damage the coil springs.
5. Lack of awareness
Not following all the advice given by your orthodontics and patient’s negligence can cause coil springs to come off or get loose.
6. Accidents
Any accidents by which someone gets a blow in the mouth like getting injured during outdoor sports can be responsible for getting coil spring on braces come off. It’s really unfortunate.
How What can you do if the coil springs of braces become loose or damaged?
Whatever the reason, your orthodontist should be notified immediately if your coil spring breaks or becomes loose. He or she’ll tell you what to do and may make an appointment to fix the coil spring. Make sure to protect the coil spring and give it to your dentist. You may need to reattach or replace the coil spring.
Sometimes the damage can be more severe. Braces wires may become loose or fall out, or a bracket might come off. You can place the braces with orthodontic wax.
Our recommend orthodontic wax:
Follow the step by step guide on how to fix broken braces, and poking wire, and also know how to apply the wax correctly.
How do you fix a coil spring that has fallen off?
It is easy to reattach a coil spring if it has come off. Simply place the current end into the slot and hook. However, you should consult your orthodontist if you aren’t confident enough and don’t know where you should put the springs. You should store the springs in a safe place and see an orthodontist to ensure the best possible outcome.
You shouldn’t try to put it back if you aren’t confident, because you may make the situation worse. Even if it’s something you really want, consult your orthodontist first. Different teeth can be moved by placing springs in the wrong brackets or slots says this expert dentist in Huntington Park. This is why there is risk.
But, you may want to know how to put a coil spring back on your braces, if you can’t visit the orthodontist now?
If your orthodontist recommends it, you should only attempt to place the springs if you feel confident. With a mirror, place the springs in the same way as before. If you need to place the springs, you can use a tweezer. To help you do this, you can ask a family member.
Follow the orthodontist’s guidance or after doing that you can send a picture to him to verify it if he allows. If you can’t then leave it and just save the spring.
Now, what’ll happen to this period before getting them reattached by your orthodontist?
Is a damaged coil spring considered an emergency?
Usually, it’s not an emergency as you don’t have to face any big problem. Of course, there’ll be a bit delaying in treatment. But, it’s not that you’ll lose the progress of treatment immediately
If damage occurs due to a blow or injury on the mouth, you should take emergency care depending on severity.
This can cause serious damage to your braces or archwires, so you should see your orthodontist immediately.
How To prevent braces coilsprings becoming damaged or broken,
You should do the following things to prevent the broken braces coil spring-
- Maintain good oral hygiene with braces and coil spring.
- Brushing your teeth with braces and coil springs is important.
- Eat soft and liquid foods while wearing braces and coil springs.
- Avoid eating foods that could cause problems for braces.
- You should stop biting on nails or pens and pushing springs with your tongue.
- Follow all instructions given to you by your orthodontist.
- Avoid any accidental injury to the mouth or blow to the mouth during orthodontic treatment.
FAQ:
Q: What is a coil spring on braces, and what does it do?
A: A coil spring on braces is a small metal device attached to the archwire and the teeth brackets. It creates or closes spaces between the teeth by applying gentle pressure.
Q: How can I tell if my coil spring on braces is broken or loose?
A: You can tell if your coil spring on braces is broken or loose if you notice any of the following signs: the coil spring is hanging out of place, the coil spring is poking your cheek or gums, the coil spring is not moving when you open or close your mouth, or the coil spring is causing pain or discomfort.
Q: What should I do if my coil spring on braces is broken or loose?
A: If your coil spring on braces is broken or loose, you should contact your orthodontist as soon as possible and schedule an appointment to fix it. Do not try fixing it yourself, as you may damage your braces or teeth.
Q: How can I prevent my coil spring on braces from breaking or loosening?
A: You can prevent your coil spring on braces from breaking or loosening by following these tips: avoid eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods that may pull or bend the coil spring, brush and floss your teeth regularly to keep the coil spring clean and free of plaque, and wear a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth at night.
Conclusion
Whatever the reasons for broken coil springs, you should try your best to prevent this to happen. It is not easy to have beautiful smiles after orthodontic treatment.
You may not want delay treatment because of damage to your coil springs. You should follow the instructions of your dentist and take good care of your coil springs and braces.
Before you attempt to fix any problem with coil springs or braces, we recommend that you consult your orthodontist.
