Metal Mouth Message Board

Over the last few weeks, the wire on my bottom back brackets bows out and I have to push it back into place. Is it normal for this to happen often? I have an appointment in 4 weeks, so I figured it was probably ok as long as I can always pop it back into place. Has anyone experienced this?

Mine hasn't exactly popped out but it feels very loose compared with the top wire and seems to wiggle about a lot. Also, the ends of the wire are visible behind the brackets (which they aren't on the top brace) and are scrapping my cheeks to shreds. I'm going back tomorrow to see if they can trim the ends off the wire so will question the looseness too and let you know the verdict...

This happened to me all the time! The first wires are very "flimsy" and will bow out while you eat. If it pops back into place, do not worry about it. If it does not, call the ortho. Once you get heavier wires, the problem will cease.

The first time it happened to me, I was in such a panic. When I called the office, they said not to worry and pop it back in place.

Best of luck to you!

Well that's reassuring! Ortho seemed to think there was nothing wrong with my brace (though did trim one wire) so I guess that's just the way it's meant to be. I think also the distance between the brackets is a lot wider on the bottom teeth than the top (in my case anyway) so the wire has more space in which to bend.

The early wires are usually flexible NiTi wires. They are of a thinner cross-section since it would be too difficult to put a thick wire into brackets that are still malaligned.

Other than the wire size, the distance between teeth will obviously increase the amount of flexing possible.

A larger wire will reduce the likelihood of this problem in the future. In the interim, a "stop" or "cinch" can be placed behind the most distal bracket to prevent the wire from coming out.

However, if your wire is not distorted, and you are able to put it back in without any issues, it may not be a problem that you have to address at this stage.

Hope this helps!

Ok, having thought this topic was resolved I now have a new question. Since my wire was trimmed last week, it's now too short - it's gone from one extreme to the other. And like tjanz it now pops out the bracket completely and I have to fiddle about trying to poke it back in.

So I'm worried now that this means there won't be enough tension in the wire for it to actually work effectively. On both sides of my mouth the first lower molar is rotated through almost 90 degrees and whereas I can feel pressure on one side and think I can already see some change, on the side with the dodgy wire there seems to be absolutely no movement, pressure or anything. My brace finishes on the second molar, so with the wire so loose there doesn't seem to be any real connection between the rotated tooth and the side that it needs to be pulled from (if that makes any sense). If it was a private ortho I'd happily call them, but because it's NHS hospital treatment it's verging on impossible to talk anyone who knows anything about your treatment. Any suggestions anyone?

Your wire may have slid around. Is it poking on the side where you feel the molar moving? Is there any kind of stop or cinch anywhere on the wire? If not I think you may need one. They clamp a small metal piece on the wire and put this in front or side so the wire doesn't slide too much.

this just happened to me and i just opened the bracket and put that baby back in it's place. it has happened since I think I am going to blame it on the cheetos. just keep putting it back till your adjustmenta and then tell your doc.