Orthodontics, lost spacer below gumline. what should i do?

Floss: Try this trick. Tie a knot in a piece of floss and then floss where the spacer was placed. Slide the knot back and forth to help grab the spacer under the gums. If this doesn't work you will need to see your orthodontist or dentist to find the spacer. Most spacers have extremely small pieces of metal in the plastic so that it can be seen in an x-ray.

Call Orthodontist: Best thing to do is call orthodontist. He has the instruments to see and remove the wayward spacer and then, if necessary, put in a new one. Trying to remove it yourself can cause it to become more problematically displaced. Don't delay, it can cause localized gum/bone damage. Please call the orthodontist now. This may be a new problem for you, but it's a routine problem for the orthodontist.

You need help: Spacers can occasionally become dislodged and migrate below the gum line into what is referred to as the gingival sulcus. Because they are used on the posterior teeth, access to the impacted spacer is near impossible, although some patients have successfully lifted them out with toothpicks. It is best to seek the assistance of your doctor, who has special instruments to safely remove the spacer.

Lost ortho spacer: Can become a serious problem causing gum infection & this spacer needs to be removed as soon as possible. Visit your orthodontist and the removal of this submerged spacer can be removed, trying to remove this spacer yourself is not recommended.

See your orthodontis: Your orthodontist will be able to retrieve it. Once the separator has opened space, sometimes they will get pushed down.

Go Back To Dr.: If the spacer is an elastic seporator, go back to the orthodontist and let he/she remove it and place a new one. Same for a metal seporator. The sooner you go back, the more time he/she will have to properly replace the old 'spacer' and give it time to work..

Removal by dentist: A spacer below the gumline may work its way out, but that usually doesn't happen. There will be an inflammatory response which will initially cause the gum to become swollen. If undisturbed it can eventually start to break down the bone in the area. For your dentist or orthodontist it is usually not a difficult task to remove the spacer. Most spacers are visible on X-rays, which can help find it.

Floss/brush: Most likely the space is gone...either you swallowed it or it fell out some where and you can not find it. either way you should be fine. Now if you still "feel" it in the tissue I would try to floss it normally, then use a small knot in the floss to get it out next and if all fails I would schedule with the dentist/orthodontist that placed the spacer.