Metal Mouth Message Board

I've been braced 9 months now. This morning I felt something sharp (as in metal) on the lower molar that is crowned and banded. To my surprise, the top part of the band was "torn" on the outer side of the tooth/crown! Apparently, I ground the metal band down and now the band is loose too!

I called my ortho to let them know I'll need more time at my adjustment next week so they can replace the band.

Has anyone else had a band come loose?

This actually happened to me this morning but luckily I was at the ortho's office. The assistant noticed that it was loose as she was trying to pry the hook out. A loose band is bad because it can cause cavities and tooth decay, that's what the assistant said. Now I'm paranoid that the other band might be loose, too. I'll just have to be more diligent and inspect everything more thoroughly than I usually do. I suggest you get it fixed ASAP.

Glad to know I'm not alone! I spoke to the ortho's office and they said if it comes completely off before my appt. next week to call and they'd fix it sooner. Since the band is on a crown, I'm not that concern with decay...plus even tho it is loose, it's still on the crown.