Hawley · broken wire
Hawley Retainer Broken Wire Repair by Mail
The labial (front) wire, a clasp, or a wire tag pulled out of the acrylic — wire problems are the most common Hawley repair. Here is what to do and how mail-in repair works.
Right after the wire breaks
- Stop wearing it if a wire end is loose, sharp, or poking your cheek or gums.
- Don't bend it back with pliers or fingers. Wire that has been bent repeatedly gets weaker and can change the fit.
- Keep every piece — a snapped clasp or wire segment in the case helps the repair.
- Don't glue it. Household glue is not made for the mouth and makes a clean repair harder.
Common Hawley wire problems
- Front (labial) bow wire snapped — usually at a bend or where it enters the acrylic.
- Clasp broken — the wire that hooks around a back tooth.
- Wire pulled out of the acrylic — the wire is intact but loose in the plastic.
- Wire bent out of shape — from being sat on, dropped, or chewed.
Our lab repairs these with wire welding or re-setting the wire into acrylic, depending on the break. Some breaks — for example, a wire snapped in several places with parts missing — may not be worth repairing; the photo tells us.
Photos that help us quote a wire repair
- The whole retainer from the top (tongue side) and from the front.
- A close-up of exactly where the wire broke or came loose.
- Any loose wire pieces laid next to the retainer.
Cost
A wire repair is covered by our standard packages — repair plus prepaid UPS both ways from $99.35. Lab turnaround is 10–12 days after we receive it, not counting shipping. See retainer repair prices, or read how repair by mail works.
Send a clear photo for a repair check: text 657-566-1558 or email smilextechnologies@gmail.com. Include the front, back, and a close-up of the damage, plus the retainer type and what happened. Or use the quote form.
Smile Extension provides mail-order appliance repair, not diagnosis or dental care. If something is painful, injured, or your bite or fit has changed, contact your dentist or orthodontist first.
Quick answers
Can a broken Hawley wire be welded?
Often, yes. Many wire breaks can be welded or the wire re-set into the acrylic. We confirm from a photo before you pay.
Is it safe to wear a Hawley retainer with a broken wire?
Stop wearing it if the wire is loose, sharp, or poking you. Ask your dentist or orthodontist how long you can safely go without it.
Related repair guides
Broken retainer?
Send a photo — we confirm the repair before you pay or ship.