When we begin orthodontic treatment, we’re all looking forward to that moment when the braces or aligners come off and we can finally see the finished smile! Between that first appointment and the big reveal, though, life happens, and sometimes that means a few bumps along the way.
At Rambo Orthodontics in Lansdale and Souderton, Dr. Lindsay Rambo has seen how easily small issues can become big setbacks if they aren’t addressed early. Whether you’re wearing metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners, knowing what can disrupt your progress helps you stay confident and on schedule. That’s why we’re sharing what we’ve learned about the most common orthodontic setbacks, how to avoid them, and what to do if something goes wrong.
What We Mean by “Common Orthodontic Setbacks”
A setback can be anything that slows or interrupts tooth movement. Sometimes it’s a broken bracket or wire; other times, it’s a forgotten aligner or missed appointment. These things happen, but understanding why they matter helps you fix them before they interfere with your results. When you start your orthodontic treatment, Dr. Rambo and her team will walk you through possible setbacks and how you can prevent them from occurring.
Most setbacks fall into one of three categories:
- Appliance damage: Brackets, wires, or aligners break or get lost.
- Compliance issues: Aligners or elastics aren’t worn as directed.
- Oral health challenges: Plaque buildup or inflammation interrupts treatment.
Each category has its own set of causes, and with those causes are also simple ways to prevent them.
Appliance Damage
Broken Brackets or Wires
Braces are durable, but not indestructible. Hard or sticky foods can loosen brackets or bend wires, especially early in treatment. Once that happens, the teeth stop moving the way we planned, and we need to repair the break before continuing.
To prevent this, it helps to be mindful of the foods you eat. Even foods that seem harmless, like popcorn or crunchy bread, can cause trouble. When you start your orthodontic journey with us at Rambo Orthodontics, we review what foods are brace and aligner friendly and what foods you may need to eat differently so that they don’t affect your appliances. If you do happen to break a bracket or a wire, please call us as soon as possible so that we can try to keep you and your treatment on track.
Damaged Clear Aligners or Attachments
For our Spark and Invisalign patients, lost or damaged aligners are some of the most common setbacks we see. Because aligners are custom-fitted to your teeth, cracks or missing trays can interfere with how they apply pressure and guide your teeth. It’s also important to keep them stored in their case whenever they’re not in your mouth, as they can easily be thrown away by accident or if you have pets, get chewed by your dog.
Another common issue involves broken attachments, which can happen when you eat certain foods or remove your aligners incorrectly. If an attachment comes off, it’s similar to having a broken bracket, and the affected tooth won’t move as it should.
If any of these issues occur, contact us as soon as possible so we can keep your treatment on track. If it’s due to a misplaced aligner, we’ll look at whether you can move forward in trays or need to have a replacement made. And if you broke off an attachment, we can get you scheduled for it to be repaired.
Compliance Challenges
Forgetting Aligners or Elastics
Here at Rambo Orthodontics, we completely understand how easy it is to forget an aligner or skip elastics for a day. Life gets busy. But those small lapses can add up quickly. Aligners should be worn 20–22 hours a day, and elastics must be used exactly as prescribed to stay on schedule.
If remembering is tough, use an app or set a phone alarm to keep yourself accountable and have a small elastic pack with you in your bag or car (putting the elastics on your pinky finger is also an easy hack!). Consistency makes the biggest difference in treatment time.
Missing Appointments
Regular check-ins are how we make sure everything is progressing as planned and that your teeth remain healthy. When appointments get delayed, it’s harder for us to make timely adjustments, and small issues can go unnoticed.
We know schedules fill up fast, which is why we recommend that you schedule your next appointment before you leave your appointment. If you ever need to reschedule, just give us a call and let us know; we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
Oral Health Setbacks
Not Brushing or Flossing Thoroughly
When braces or aligners are in place, brushing and flossing take a little bit more effort. But they also matter more than ever. Plaque buildup can cause gum inflammation, white spots, or cavities, all of which can interrupt treatment or make your end smile not as amazing as you’d like.
For braces, make sure to brush at least twice a day and floss daily with a water flosser. For aligners, brush and rinse before putting trays back in after eating. Make sure to floss daily. Also, be sure to keep your trays clean regularly to keep your aligners smelling fresh and to keep your mouth feeling clean.
Gum Sensitivity or Bleeding
Swollen or bleeding gums are usually a sign that you are missing an area when you clean and that plaque has built up under the brackets or along the gumline. In most cases, a little extra brushing time and an antimicrobial rinse will clear it up. If it doesn’t, come in so we can take a closer look and make sure there’s nothing more serious going on.
We also encourage regular dental cleanings while you’re in orthodontic care. We work closely with many general dentists in the area to help patients in Lansdale and Souderton keep their smiles healthy from start to finish.
Lifestyle Setbacks
Sports Mishaps
Sports and orthodontics can absolutely go together if you have a mouthguard. We’ve treated plenty of patients who’ve taken a stray elbow or ball to the face during a game. A mouthguard designed to fit over braces or aligners helps protect both your teeth and your appliances. It’s important to have an orthodontic or brace-friendly mouthguard. They are different than regular mouthguards in that you do not need to mold them. This way, they allow the teeth to move throughout treatment rather than restrict them. We offer several different mouthguards at our office to keep your teeth and appliances safe. Just let us know that you are playing a contact sport and we can help you with the rest!
Traveling Without a Plan
We love seeing our patients enjoy vacations and trips, but travel can make it easy to forget supplies. Pack aligner cases, extra elastics, and orthodontic wax before you leave. If you’re traveling for a while, you can schedule your next visit before your trip or contact us if something comes up.
What To Do When a Setback Happens
Even with great habits, things happen. The key is knowing when you can handle something at home and when to reach out.
You can usually fix it yourself if:
- A wire is poking your cheek (use wax)
- A bracket feels rough or loose (cover it with wax temporarily)
- You forget your aligners for a few hours (put them back in and wear them a bit longer)
You should contact us if:
- A bracket or band becomes unglued or falls off completely
- An aligner cracks or doesn’t fit correctly
- A wire breaks or bends
- You notice swelling, pain, or bleeding that doesn’t improve
How To Prevent Setbacks From the Start
Avoiding common orthodontic setbacks doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s about building steady habits. Here are a few that make the biggest difference:
- Follow our instructions carefully.
- Be mindful of what you eat.
- Keep reminders on your phone.
- Maintain great oral hygiene.
- Keep your appointments.
When To Call Us
If you’re not sure whether a small issue can wait or needs attention, it’s always better to check. You should contact us if:
- A bracket, band, or wire is damaged
- Your aligners don’t fit or are missing
- You notice unusual discomfort or swelling
- You’ve missed several days of aligner wear or elastic use
Why Staying Consistent Makes a Difference
We see hundreds of smiles every year, and the patients who finish treatment the fastest and with the best results tend to have one thing in common: they stay consistent. Brushing regularly, wearing appliances as directed, and contacting us when something feels off all help keep your treatment on schedule.
Our goal at Rambo Orthodontics isn’t just straight teeth. We want every patient to feel confident and supported throughout their journey. When we work together and stay mindful of these little habits, those common orthodontic setbacks become rare, and your smile stays right on track.
We’re With You Every Step of the Way
Orthodontic treatment takes teamwork. With care, communication, and consistency, small issues don’t have to turn into big setbacks. If you ever run into a problem or just have a question, Dr. Rambo and her expert team at Rambo Orthodontics are here to help you find the right solution and keep your progress moving forward.
Are you new to orthodontic treatment and want to learn more about shaping your perfect smile? Schedule a free consultation with us at our Lansdale or Souderton office. We’d love to work with you!
