Orthodontic structures are worn for a long time - from several months to a year or more in complex cases. During this time, all their elements are subject to load, especially for non-removable systems. If wearing rules are not followed, both braces and aligners can break. This negatively affects the treatment process: some of the teeth may not have a beneficial effect and begin to move back to their previous position. You have to endure unnecessary discomfort, as well as unscheduled visits to the doctor. How to avoid breakdowns and is it possible to do without them?
How to avoid breaking braces? It's not difficult, you just need to follow the rules
Causes of fixation disorders
The contacts of a lock fixed with glue on the surface of a dental unit may become weaker for a number of reasons, each of which contributes to the disconnection of the corrective link of the system.
Let's look at them in detail:
- Inadequate system maintenance. Many people believe that hygienic cleaning of braces is no different from the usual oral care procedures.
This opinion is wrong. The system must be cleaned after every meal.Ignoring this rule can lead to the formation of hard deposits on the teeth, the formation of carious cavities near the fastening contacts, and weakening of the adhesion of the glue that was used to fix the braces on the surface of the teeth.
- Abuse of hard and sticky foods. Each patient should understand that after installing the braces, the diet will be partially changed.
It is forbidden to eat foods that are too hard or sticky. For a while you will have to forget about crackers, toffees, nuts, chewing gum, etc.The fact is that during the correction process it is extremely important to maintain optimal functionality of all components of the system.
If an unexpected breakdown occurs and the patient swallows one of the elements, then the reason most likely lies in a violation of medical recommendations regarding dietary restrictions.
- Inaccurate operation of the structure. The system consists not only of locks, arches and springs, but also of secondary elements.
And if the orthodontic wire element is characterized by increased strength, then braces and spring parts are practically devoid of this significant property.Based on this, the patient must comply with a number of restrictive requirements: refuse to engage in contact sports, avoid fights and facial injuries.
- Excessive hot or cold food .
Dangerous product - ice cream. It can be eaten when thawed. The fact is that significant temperature changes have a detrimental effect on the adhesive properties of surfaces, thereby causing the lock to come off. For the same reason, you should refrain from drinking very hot drinks.
What additional products will the patient need to care for braces after they are installed?
Come here to find out what self-ligating no-ligation braces are.
At this address we will tell you whether it hurts to put braces on your teeth.
Problems that arise after removing braces
After the system is removed, orthodontic patients face other, sometimes no less, problems.
- Stains on the enamel.
After removing the structure, white spots become clearly visible on the enamel. Often, even the most attentive owners of the structure cannot prevent pigmentation of teeth. This is normal and goes away after cleaning! - Demineralization of enamel.
The structure of the enamel changes under the pressure of the “staples”. The surface of the teeth becomes thinner, the enamel becomes more sensitive and is susceptible to carious lesions. To minimize the risk of demineralization, experts advise using special fluoride-containing rinses when wearing braces. It is also necessary, if possible, to avoid mechanical stress and periodically visit the dentist. - Reverse displacement of teeth.
It’s hard to believe, but despite the long period of treatment, after removal of the structures, the teeth can return to their original position. This situation can be caused by the anatomical features of an adult body, as well as refusal to wear retainers, which secure the result of treatment. It is important to understand that teeth are mobile throughout life, and the bite can still change. - Gaps between teeth.
The problem occurs for the same reasons as when teeth shift in the opposite direction. The teeth try to “return” to their original position, which contributes to the formation of gaps.
Dangers of elements entering the esophagus
It is worth noting that the swallowed ligature does not entail health consequences . The elastic element comes out in the usual way for the body, and part of the burst wire ligature will most likely be dissolved by gastric juice.
If part of the arc gets into the digestive system, this can result in damage to soft tissues. Therefore, the patient must seek help from a medical facility.
Before visiting a doctor, you are prohibited from eating, which will help prevent debris from entering the stomach.
A part of an orthodontic arch that gets into the esophagus can cause a number of serious complications, namely:
- mediastinitis;
- paresis;
- organ perforation;
- injury to the trachea, bronchi;
- periesophagitis;
- paralysis of the inferior laryngeal nerves.
After being hit by an element of the corrective system, the patient must pull himself together, not give in to panic and immediately seek medical advice.
In fact, possible unpleasant consequences caused by swallowing an intact lock are excluded.
Such a problem cannot promise serious health problems, since the biologically pure materials from which the correction system is made are absolutely safe for the human body.
The brace will not remain in the digestive tract, but will soon come out naturally. Sharp damaged contours of the part cannot injure the walls of the esophagus, stomach or intestines due to the small size of the product.
Remarkable! In any case, instead of a detached bracket, a new link is inserted into the orthodontic system. Once swallowed, the product must not be reused.
Consequences
In rare cases, swallowing the arc can cause such unpleasant consequences: the appearance of a hole in the esophagus, inflammation, decreased muscle tone, and even paralysis of the nerve endings in the lower region of the larynx. To avoid this, you need to visit a professional as soon as possible.
First of all, the person will definitely be sent for an X-ray examination, this will make it possible to understand in which part of the esophagus the arch fragment is stuck. Of course, in most cases the part comes out of the metal naturally. If this does not happen, the doctor may prescribe special medications with an enveloping effect.
It is important to understand that if you swallow an arc, you should not eat any food. This can only make the situation worse. Ingestion of any other part of the braces system is not dangerous, but it is always better to play it safe and visit a dental clinic for an examination. In any case, the broken part will have to be restored, since without it the treatment may not be effective.
Inhalation of small parts
If structural elements enter the respiratory system, it is very dangerous. A bracket or piece of arch can partially/completely block the lumen of the trachea and bronchi. If the overlap is partial, ventilation of the lungs becomes difficult.
Full overlap works like an air flow regulator. That is, when you inhale, air enters the lungs, and its exit when you exhale is blocked. This condition can cost a person’s life, so medical assistance must be immediate.
At the slightest suspicion of aspiration, the doctor prescribes an X-ray examination, auscultation and endoscopic diagnosis of the trachea and bronchi.
Before the ambulance arrives, first aid measures must be taken. Firstly, do not cough too much under any circumstances. The fact is that when a foreign object enters the glottis, the body’s reflex mechanism is triggered.
The muscles are in a state of spasm, which causes coughing attacks. However, clearing your throat hysterically will not remove the object; on the contrary, such a defensive reaction further aggravates the situation.
Secondly, it is important to find a person nearby and ask for help, which consists of the following actions:
- Tilt the victim's torso forward and lightly hit the interscapular space with your palm.
- Stand up to the person, wrap your arms around his ribs and lock them together. Using the protruding joint of your thumb, press firmly into the epigastric area. Repeat the manipulation more than once.
Treatment of a patient with a brace or other part of the corrective system in the respiratory tract is carried out in the otolaryngology department using endoscopic forceps and under general anesthesia.
Protective properties of orthodontic wax for braces and rules for its use.
In this publication, we will find out how to properly put elastic bands on braces.
Here https://www.vash-dentist.ru/ortodontiya/breketyi/kompanii-american-orthodontics.html we offer an overview of brace system models from American Orthodontics.
Wearing rules for patients
While wearing an orthodontic structure, patients are prohibited from eating solid foods (nuts, crackers, hard fruits, etc.). This leads to wear and damage to the rubber bands.
The elastics are permanently attached to the structure and can be removed while brushing your teeth. Metal braces or ceramic - it doesn't matter.
It is forbidden to loosen the tension of the rubber bands on your own.
At home you need to have an additional set of elastics.
If the tension is severely weakened, be sure to visit an orthodontist. The doctor will select a different type of traction.
Actions of specialists
As a rule, a swallowed foreign object passes through the esophagus and comes out naturally after 3-6 days. Despite the comforting forecasts, X-ray monitoring in a clinical setting is mandatory.
The study will help control the movement of an object through the intestines. If an intact swallowed bracket cannot harm health, then a part of an orthodontic arch that ends up in the digestive tract can become potentially dangerous to a person.
The sharp edges of the wire element can catch on soft tissue as it moves through the digestive tract.
In any case, after swallowing a brace system element, you should consult a doctor. Let us consider in detail the essence of medical care for ingestion of component parts of the structure.
The first action of a doctor upon admission of a patient with complaints of swallowing a foreign body is to classify the object by material, size, shape, and deformation.
To determine the degree of danger of a product, you need to know a number of parameters:
- length (especially important if part of the arc was swallowed);
- shape of edges and surface (sharp, blunt, round);
- material (metal, plastic, sapphire);
- characteristics of radioactivity, chemical inertness.
It is important to note that any metal object that enters the digestive tract can be potentially dangerous. Risks increase if one of the listed factors occurs. For example, at the same time: metal with sharp edges.
A stuck element of the corrective system in the digestive lumen can provoke spasms, pain, difficulty swallowing, and gagging.
Regardless of the characteristics of the part that has entered the digestive tract, mandatory diagnostic studies are carried out. The doctor examines the neck, larynx, pharynx, and also prescribes x-rays and esophagoscopy.
These instrumental research methods make it possible to assess the condition of the walls of the esophagus and identify possible damage.
Thanks to two projections of the x-ray, the specialist can easily examine the x-ray contrast – the bracket, part of the arch, ligature. Based on the data obtained, surgical or conservative treatment is prescribed.
In emergency situations, when there is damage to internal soft structures, therapy is based on the immediate removal of a foreign object from the lumen of the esophagus.
Conservative methods consist of prescribing medications to the patient that have enveloping properties. Furacilin washes and a specially designed short-term diet are also appropriate.
If the above methods are ineffective, the specialist prescribes endoscopy, which allows you to quickly remove the element using a fibroesophagoscope. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
If components of the corrective system enter the respiratory tract, a physical examination, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics will be required. The doctor must assess the general condition of the patient, determine vocal tremor, and the color of the skin and mucous membranes.
Clinical tests help evaluate severe bronchopulmonary disorders. The patient also needs to undergo chest X-ray and fluoroscopy.
Non-drug treatment includes physiotherapeutic measures aimed at suppressing inflammatory processes in the bronchopulmonary system. Inhalation therapy has also proven effective.
During surgical treatment, endoscopic interventions are used. The choice of technique is made taking into account the location of the element, the age category of the patient and the severity of adverse consequences.
For reference! Metal objects are removed using magnets.
In the video, the patient will talk about his unpleasant experience of unsticking the braces.
Precautionary measures
If during the correction process the patient’s bracket comes off and is swallowed, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor. The fact is that this situation mainly affects the integrity of the structure, and therefore the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.
You can go without a brace for a maximum of 7 days. A longer period entails irreversible consequences. Dental units are in a state of continuous movement, and changes to the entire structure will be difficult to eliminate.
To prevent this, it is important to strictly follow medical recommendations after installing braces.
The patient’s task is to adhere to a gentle diet, exclude hard and sticky foods from the diet, carry out careful and regular care of the structure, monitor the integrity of all elements and the reliability of their fixation.
Reviews
Any patient who decides to correct their bite with braces should remember that all the unwanted “surprises” that occur during the correction can be prevented with timely contact with specialists.
If during the treatment you swallowed an element of the corrective system, share with readers your personal experience of eliminating the problem. We look forward to your feedback in the comments section.
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