Can I remove the hooks for elastics?

[palmtrees]

You know those small little hooks for the elastics. I don't need them anymore but suddenly they're really bothering me with cuts that won't heal. With the holidays I can't go to my ortho for a while so is there a way to remove them myself?

[ItsFreyja]

You know we don't really endorse DIY modifications here, but... if you have Kobayashi hooks made out of thin wire that the ortho twisted around your brackets, you could cut them off with needlenose wirecutters. I can't say I actually recommend doing this, though; I would use wax over the hooks for a day or two to give your sores a chance to heal. And don't try to cut integrated hooks off of brackets; without a dental grinder/polisher, you'll never get the stumps smooth enough to not bother you.

[palmtrees]

It's not thin wire they're pretty thick and strong like his


They put them in a few months back I just wish they were easy to remove.

[Snowglobe32]

I wouldn't...what if you need to wear elastics again? I wore them off and on throughout my almost 4 years in braces. Try putting some wax on it until you can speak to your ortho.

[EWUgal15]

I would leave them if I were you. You could do a lot more damage trying to take them off...sharp edges left behind or worse, breaking a bracket or snipping your wire. Use wax to cover the hooks that are irritating you and ask your orthodontist if they can be removed (either a phone call or at your next appointment).

[palmtrees]

Definitely don't need them anymore since my lower arch is done and we're finishing up the upper arch. They should have removed them, but it seems like they won't do anything unless you ask and remind them. Jeez. I'm out of wax but I'll try to get a hold of some more.

[EWUgal15]

You should be able to pick some wax up at a local drug store.

[palmtrees]

Thanks.

[sirwired]

I wouldn't be too hard on the ortho; it's not a routine practice to remove the elastic hooks. The brackets really aren't designed to be cut like that, so it may not even be possible with the wire snips the ortho usually uses for cutting (too hard of an alloy), and in any case the burr would have to be filed down afterwards.

[oldfart]

Those type are part of the bracket itself. Can't be removed without probably damaging the bracket.

[oldfart]

Also quite a few orthos like to do finishing elastics to really sit the bite together at the end.

[desertd]

I agree. Don't do anything that could damage the bracket or even your teeth. Wax it up and ask your ortho next time you go in. Don't risk that damage after all the time and resources you have invested into your smile for some temporary shot at relief.