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Fixing a Pokey Orthodontic Wire

If you have an emergency with a protruding wire, there are a variety of ways to take care of this right from the convenience of your own home!

Poking wires always occur at the worst times. Usually right before the weekend or just as your about to leave for vacation. With these tips, you can temporarily fix the protruding wire and provide yourself with some much needed relief until you can visit us for a permanent solution.

Orthodontic Wax: This is always our first recommended solution. It is the easiest tool to create a smooth surface over the wire. Look for our previous blog post on how to properly apply wax!

Tweezers: If the wire has slipped out of the molar bracket, you may be able to use tweezers to slide the wire back into the bracket slot. Once you have bent the wire back, use orthodontic wax to keep the wire in place until you are able to visit us again.

Nail Clippers/ Wire Cutters: This option is a last resort, but a great way to provide comfort in times of need. To clip the wire, pull back your cheek, dry the area, and with the help of an adult, carefully clip the poking wire. After clipping the wire, be sure to apply wax to hold it in place.

Don’t forget, we are always here to help. You can call or text us pictures directly to our office number (267.397.3354). We can answer any questions and guide you through these steps!

What is Invisalign? And how does it work?

Align Technology first introduced Invisalign to the market in 1999 after recent advances in digital technology enabled the creation of sequential removable aligners to move teeth. Once novel, Invisalign is now a digital orthodontic appliance used to treat millions of patients.  Invisalign, however, is not the only company to use this technology. Many companies are now utilizing this technology allowing your orthodontist to select the appliance that works best for you.

How does it work?

Invisalign, or the generic term clear aligners, are customized appliances created by the aid of sophisticated 3D imaging and animation tools that enable virtual simulation of tooth movements.  Tooth movements resemble a filmstrip, and each frame is called a stage.  Each stage corresponds to a set of clear plastic aligner trays.  As the trays are worn by the patient, every tray pushes the teeth .25-.33mm at a time. Each tray or aligner is composed of clear, removable polyurethane, which provides esthetic and more comfortable appliance wear experience than the traditional fixed appliances like braces. This unique and esthetic alternative to tooth movement continues to recruit more patients to orthodontic therapy.

Virtually invisable trays gradually straighten your teeth over the course of treatment

The importance of using an expert

The weakness of this system and software is that it assumes tooth movements in the patient will mirror the virtual treatment.  It hardly happens perfectly with every patient every time.  Yet, some clinicians are very successful in producing the desired result whereas, the rest of the world maybe disappointed. Thus, orthodontists, dentists, or at home aligner systems who plan to use clear aligners must rely heavily on their past clinical experience, highlighting the importance of seeking treatment by an expert. Fortunately, both Drs. George and Cogan are not only Board-Certified Orthodontists, but experts in the field of Invisalign and clear aligner treatment. Together, they have treated thousands of Invisalign cases and are confident that our office can provide you with the smile you have always dreamed of.

Give us a call today and let us help you achieve the happier, healthier you.