Somedays you may have felt like the day would never come; The day you have your braces removed after years of treatment. This is a day patients look forward to throughout their entire treatment. But don’t worry, because it will happen before you know it.
But what does it feel like?
Well, getting your braces taken off is like having them put on; it’s a big change. You have to get used to it: it may feel weird, wrong… Or so many other things.
Your gums will be tender, just like they were at the start or after a wire adjustment.
Braces removal procedure
The most anticipated question by patients is, how are braces removed?
Braces removal begins with special pliers used to pop off the brackets, by gently breaking the bonding cement; the bands are taken off by another tool. This procedure applies minimal pressure while your braces are being squeezed and released.
Once your braces are out, the cement on your teeth which held the brackets in place needs to be removed. This process takes a while and is done using a dental tool.
Removing the cement may feel a little sensitive, but it shouldn’t be painful. Your teeth are also polished by the dental tool, so they are left feeling smooth and strong.
After the removal of your braces is complete, the orthodontist will take another impression of your teeth, which will be used to make a night time retainer. You will be advised to wear this retainer for about two years full time, followed by nightly.
You may even have a permanent wire retainer bonded to the back of your lower and or upper front teeth. This wire stays in to keep your teeth in the new positions.
Retainers may initially feel a little unfamiliar, but this will get better as you continue to wear them. They usually won’t cause pain, however this is not the case for all patients.
Your orthodontist will also ask you to visit at least once more to ensure your teeth are maintaining the correct positions and that the retainer fits properly.
Will it hurt to have my braces removed?
No, getting your braces removed shouldn’t hurt at all. However, you may feel some discomfort from pressure being applied and slight tenderness afterwards.
Things you may notice after braces removal
There are a few things you may notice after having your braces removed, however these are normal!
- Even teeth: Your teeth are even, and the best part is you can feel it, there are no braces in the way! During your treatment, it was harder to notice the changes to your smile through the braces, but with them off, your straight teeth are clear as day!
- Eating is strange: You’ve been through years of adjusting to eating with braces and avoiding certain foods. Well, you’re now free! You can now eat food without worrying about accidently knocking a bracket off or dislodging a wire. It’s time to enjoy crunchy, sticky, and hard foods once again.
- Brushing and flossing: Cleaning your mouth is easier without the obstacles of braces. You can easily access your teeth, there’s no more special techniques or brushes required.
- Tender gums and teeth: Once your braces are removed, it is totally normal to experience tender teeth and gums; similar to when you had your braces put on or tightened.
- Discolouration: Braces make it harder to keep your teeth sparkling clean, so there may be slight discolouration or spots. But this is nothing a dentist can’t fix.
- Your beautiful smile: Your treatment is finished, and you have the smile you were looking for. Take pride in your efforts and straight teeth.
Remember to always look after your beautiful smile!
At South East Orthodontics, we believe straight teeth is worth the time it takes, as there are so many positive benefits to a straighter smile. If you would like more information on braces treatment, our team will be happy to help. If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment, please contact us here.