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This seems like an ironic question but can ceramic braces be re glued (rebonded) if they fall off?
The assistant at my Ortho's office says that if I break one off they will have to replace it with a new one because the glue or cement doesn't come off like it does with metal brackets so it can be re glued. Therefore, I have to pay for the replacement + re-bonding. This just doesn't sound very practical to me and would imagine that the same bracket can be re glued just like a metal one can. Has anyone with ceramic braces ever heard of this or had it happen to them?
I'm in Costa Rica by the way and I just feel it may be lack of experience by the dental assistant so I'd thought I would ask the forum.
Snowglobe32 wrote:It would depend on if the bracket actually breaks into pieces. I had one come loose, it was still intact, so they just re-bonded it.
Yea if it were to break into pieces that would make sense to me but she said that a bracket has to be replaced if it simply falls off because she can't remove the glue that is stuck to the back of the bracket to glue it back on without extra old glue. That just seems weird don't you think?
I made sure all accidents/breaks would be covered when I got my braces put on. I don't have to pay for anything in addition to my treatment. Including retainers, maybe you could ask your ortho if they could do that for you? For a flat fee.
Snowglobe32 wrote:It would depend on if the bracket actually breaks into pieces. I had one come loose, it was still intact, so they just re-bonded it.
Yea if it were to break into pieces that would make sense to me but she said that a bracket has to be replaced if it simply falls off because she can't remove the glue that is stuck to the back of the bracket to glue it back on without extra old glue. That just seems weird don't you think?
To remove any glue stuck to a bracket, you would have to use the instrument/drill(?) thing to scrape it off, it might damage the bracket and since it is ceramic, it is probably best to just use a new one. I can't imagine they cost a lot...what would they charge you? Also, I think when brackets come off, the glue sticks to the tooth rather than the bracket.
I only had one come loose in almost 4 years of braces so I wouldn't worry. A lot of the time, brackets come loose because they didn't bond the glue long enough.
The fee from my orthodontist covers everything but they do "reserve the right" to charge extra for excessive rebonding / emergency appts / etc.
It just depends from ortho to ortho I would guess.
First Consultation: July 16th, 2013 Second Consultation: August 21st, 2013 Extractions (Wisdom + baby tooth): August 22nd, 2013 Brace Date: September 4th, 2013 First Adjustment: October 18th, 2013.
My treatment doesn't cover accidents, they don't do that here in Costa Rica. I had to pay extra for the cerimics, my impressions, a bite plane, and will have to pay for retainers at the end of treatment. When you add it all up it's only about 1k less than I was quoted in the States.
Rebonding fee is $50 per bracket. If I would had gotten metal braces the fee would have only been $8 cause they use the same one.
I've search online to see if perhaps there was a video or something that shows how ceramic brackets are re glued but couldn't find anything. I still think the assistant just doesn't know how to reuse a ceramic bracket properly. Oh well, I'll just eat the cost when and if it happens.
On a better note.... I just got back from the Ortho's. I had my first tightening appointment + I got my lower braces put on too. Yaaaay! I'm so glad I finally have both top and bottom.
Snowglobe32 wrote:
To remove any glue stuck to a bracket, you would have to use the instrument/drill(?) thing to scrape it off, it might damage the bracket and since it is ceramic, it is probably best to just use a new one. I can't imagine they cost a lot...what would they charge you? Also, I think when brackets come off, the glue sticks to the tooth rather than the bracket.
I only had one come loose in almost 4 years of braces so I wouldn't worry. A lot of the time, brackets come loose because they didn't bond the glue long enough.
Good luck!
Did they use the same bracket or a new one that time?
