How to Remove Wire From Braces

How to Remove Wire From Braces
Written By
DR
Drol Rotciv
Published: May 10, 2010
Updated: May 12, 2023
2 minute read

Dental braces are used mainly to have your teeth straight, fix overbites and underbites in order to have a beautiful smile. Wearing braces can be uncomfortable and it takes time to adjust to it. By the time you get used to them, it is time to adjust or take them off. The orthodontic brace on the teeth will eventually subside and the braces will stabilize the teeth in position without putting much force on them. When it comes to removing braces orthodontists simply take the wires and brackets out of a patient’s mouth.

Wash your hands thoroughly and don gloves. Tell the patient to brush his teeth, gargle and rinse well.

Remove the band that goes around the teeth called arch wire. This wire is usually held in place by rubber bands or braided wire called ligatures. Remove each rubber band ligature from around the bracket. If braided wires are in place, unbraid the wires with small disinfected tweezers. The arch wire will slip out after removing the ligature bands.

Remove the dental brackets with a small disinfected needle nose pliers. Apply the beaks of the pliers on the little arms of the bracket and twist the little arm of the bracket until it pops off. It is easier to start with the larger teeth with big roots rather than the smaller shorter teeth. Make sure to stabilize the teeth with your free hand when the arch wire is removed. For back molars with bands, you must get your instrument near the gum line and work around the tooth pushing up away from the gum line.

Dispose dental wire bands and brackets in a sharp biohazard container for safety.

Use an emery board to remove large cement that's left on the tooth.

References

Sponsored
LEAFtv Logo

LEAFtv is your destination for food, beauty, style and feel-good living, with how-tos and inspiration for everyday life.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.