Orthodontic Relief Wax

About relief wax

Orthodontic relief wax is given to patients for the pain, sores and irritation caused by treatment: a barrier that protects a sore from more irritation. Once a sore has formed, the surface may take 7 to 14 days to heal over. The sores from bracket irritation sit mostly in the same place as demineralisation and white spot lesions, on the tooth surface around the bracket. An estimated 11 million packs of dental wax are dispensed or bought by consumers in the United States each year.

A barrier material, used to protect a sore from being irritated further. In one in-vitro study both bacteria tested formed biofilm on all the waxes, and the authors concluded that the waxes need refreshing and not using for more than 24 hours.

Sources: Bozkurt et al. 2020, Comparison of microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on orthodontic wax materials (J Dent Sci)