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Orthodontics · Problems & first aid
Braces and Aligner Problems: What to Do
Most braces and aligner problems, such as a poking wire, a loose bracket or a lost aligner, are not emergencies and can be eased at home until you are seen. Send a photo to Yonsei Baro near Isu Station via WhatsApp or KakaoTalk, and Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee’s team will advise you and arrange a visit.
Braces & aligner problems at a glance
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Poking wire | Cover it with orthodontic wax; message us with a photo |
| Loose bracket | Leave it in place if comfortable, cover with wax; keep it if it comes off |
| Lost or broken aligner | Message us first; we will tell you which aligner to wear |
| Soreness | Soft foods, warm salt-water rinses, wax over rough spots |
| Go to hospital / call 119 | Facial injury, swelling spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding |
| Clinic hours | Mon & Thu 1–9 PM · Tue & Fri 10 AM–7 PM (lunch 1–2 PM) · Sat 9 AM–2 PM · Closed Wed, Sun, public holidays |
When is it a real emergency?
Go to a hospital emergency room or call 119 if there is:
- A blow to the face or jaw, or a possible head injury
- Swelling of the face that is spreading, especially toward the eye or neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure
- A swallowed or inhaled piece of an appliance with coughing, choking or breathing difficulty
These need medical care first. Once you are safe, let us know so Dr. Lee can check your teeth and appliance. For knocked-out or broken teeth in children, see our page on dental injuries .
How to reach us
Take a clear photo of the problem and send it with a short description via WhatsApp (English replies) or KakaoTalk . You can also call +82 2-592-2080 during opening hours. We will advise you on what to do and arrange a visit if needed.
Clinic hours
- Monday and Thursday: 1:00–9:00 PM
- Tuesday and Friday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM (lunch 1–2 PM)
- Saturday: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (no lunch break)
- Closed Wednesday, Sunday and public holidays
Outside these hours, use the first-aid steps below and message us; we will reply when the clinic reopens.
A wire is poking my cheek
As teeth move, the end of a wire can slide out and rub the cheek. Dry the area and press a small ball of orthodontic wax over the end. If you have no wax, sugar-free chewing gum can work for a short time. Message us with a photo so we can trim it.
If the wire has come out of a bracket, you can sometimes ease it back with a clean pencil eraser or cotton swab. Do not cut a wire yourself unless we have advised you how.
A bracket is loose
A loose bracket usually stays attached to the wire. If it is comfortable, leave it where it is and cover it with wax if it rubs. If it comes off completely, keep it in a small bag and bring it to your appointment. Avoid hard and sticky foods, which are the usual cause.
A single loose bracket is not usually urgent, but it can slow treatment, so message us with a photo and we will arrange a repair. See what to eat with braces for foods that are kinder to brackets.
An aligner is lost or broken
Message us first. Generally you will be asked either to move on to your next aligner or to go back to your previous one, but only do so as your orthodontist instructs, because the right choice depends on how well your current aligner fits and where you are in treatment. Keep your previous aligners for this reason.
Until you hear back, wear your most recent aligner that still fits. If a replacement is needed, we will arrange it. Teens can find more tips on clear aligners for teens .
My mouth is sore
Teeth often feel tender for a few days after braces are placed, after an adjustment or when you start a new aligner. This usually settles. Choose soft foods, rinse with warm salt water, and use wax on any rough spots. Over-the-counter pain relief may help; follow the label or ask a pharmacist.
Contact us if soreness lasts more than a week, a sore spot does not heal, or one tooth is much more painful than the others.
Other appliances
If a space maintainer , expander or habit appliance comes loose or bends, avoid chewing on that side, keep any loose part, and send us a photo. If a retainer breaks or is lost, contact us soon, because teeth can start to move without it.
Braces & aligner problem FAQs
Is a broken bracket an emergency?
Usually not. A loose or broken bracket is uncomfortable and can slow treatment, but it is rarely urgent. Cover any sharp edge with orthodontic wax, keep the bracket if it comes off, and send us a photo via WhatsApp or KakaoTalk. We will advise you and arrange a visit to repair it.
Where can I buy orthodontic wax in Seoul?
Ask us for wax at your next visit and keep some at home and in your bag. It is also sold in some pharmacies and online in Korea; look for “교정용 왁스” (orthodontic wax). If you run out, sugar-free chewing gum can cover a sharp spot for a short time until you can get more.
Should I move to my next aligner if I lose one?
Message us before you do. Depending on how well your next aligner fits and where you are in treatment, Dr. Lee may ask you to move to the next set, go back to the previous one, or wait for a replacement. Until we reply, keep wearing the most recent aligner that still fits so your teeth hold their position.
What should I do if a problem happens on a Sunday or public holiday?
The clinic is closed on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays. For a poking wire, loose bracket or lost aligner, use the first-aid steps on this page and message us; we will reply when we reopen. For facial injury, spreading swelling or difficulty breathing, go to a hospital emergency room or call 119.
I am visiting Seoul and my braces broke. Can you help?
Contact us via WhatsApp with a photo and details of your treatment. Dr. Lee can assess whether a repair or temporary fix is appropriate, and we can provide English documentation for your own orthodontist. For a longer stay, see our page on continuing treatment from abroad.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
Board-certified orthodontist (Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare) · Adjunct Professor of Orthodontics, Yonsei University · Last updated October 2026
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Treatment results and duration vary from person to person. Orthodontic treatment can cause temporary discomfort and, in some cases, root shortening, gum recession or tooth decay if oral hygiene is poor; teeth can relapse if retainers are not worn as instructed.
Problem with your braces or aligners?
Send us a photo on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk and we will advise you in English. Isu Station Exit 2 · Open until 9 PM Mon & Thu · Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM.