Problems during treatmentQuestion during treatment

A piece of plastic or wire has broken off my removable appliance. Does it need fixing urgently?

Answered byDr Ivelina Ivanova-Koycheva, Orthodontist (MSc)Master's degrees in orthodontics in Rome and in aligner treatment in Turin, international lecturerPublished on 12 November 2026

If the appliance is broken, it needs to be repaired before treatment continues – a part that is important for moving the teeth may have broken off. So stop activating the appliance and contact your orthodontist. If you can't see your orthodontist straight away and the appliance doesn't sit properly in the mouth because of the break, at least try to sleep with it in until the problem can be sorted out.

This answer is for general information. Your own case needs an examination by an orthodontist.