You’ve finally reached the end of your treatment with braces, and now it’s time to get them taken out, but naturally, this is something you haven’t really been preparing for and now that it’s here you have no idea what to expect, and possibly you’re feeling nervous about the appointment. So what happens when you get your braces taken out, and what can you expect afterwards. Read on to find out.
When Does the Orthodontist Remove Braces?
The time where you’ll need to have your braces removed won’t come as a surprise, your orthodontist will tell you when it will be at your last adjustment, which gives you time to prepare. Throughout all of your dental appointments, your orthodontist will keep a detailed track of your progress and that will determine exactly when your braces will be removed.
How They Remove Braces
In the actual appointment, the orthodontist will first have to loosen the wires and remove the bond between the brackets and your teeth which will be done as painlessly as possible, but you can expect to feel some pressure. Once the bond between the brackets and teeth are removed, it’s easier to loosen the adhesive. There will still be some adhesive remaining on the teeth but to protect the structure of your teeth and your enamel, that won’t be removed immediately.
Possible After Effects of Getting Braces Removed
- It’s not uncommon at all to feel weird after you get braces, you’ve had the dental appliance in your mouth for over a year and you get used to it. Eating without them will feel strange, there’ll no longer be a fixture placed in your mouth that impedes how you chew and bite.
- In the hours and days following the removal procedure, you can experience slight gum inflammation, which will subside.
- It’s also common for people who have had braces to develop calluses inside their lips from where the skin became hardened by the braces.
- You might notice that your teeth have discoloured in the area where the braces once were, which can be addressed with teeth whitening.
How Long Do You Wear Your Retainer After Braces?
Once you get your braces taken out, you will be required to wear retainers. It’s important for all the correction and realignment work done to set in. You will wear a retainer for up to 12 months in order to maintain the results of the braces treatment. This will allow for your teeth, jaw and bones to stabilize to ensure the long-term success of the treatment. The mouthpiece will need to be worn full-time for a portion of the 12 months. With time, you will wear the retainer only at night.
It’s important to keep taking care of your dental health even after your braces come out. Your health and wellness are dependent on it. Ultimately, don’t lose sight of the fact that this is a big milestone, you’ve completed a huge dental treatment and you have achieved the jaw and smile that you wanted when you started this process.
Celebrate it and enjoy the transformation. For more information, or to book your appointment get in touch with us.
