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So, you’ve been wearing braces for quite a while now. You’ve got good reason to excited but you have some anxiety. What comes next? Some worry about the actual process of having the braces removed, as well as what happens after they are gone. No worries. Soon, you’ll be seeing your new, braces- free smile, after wearing adult braces or a child’s braces.
The First Step: Getting Them Off
Your Forest & Ray orthodontist will use specially designed orthodontic pliers to gently squeeze the bases of the brackets of your braces. As it does, the bonding adhesive is gently broken and releases, allowing the removal of the brackets. Once all of the brackets are detached, the bonding cement is carefully removed with a dental tool that will also polish the enamel of your tooth.
Your orthodontist will probably wait until all the brackets are taken off for this step, for the cement also protects the enamel of your teeth during the removal of the brackets. By the way, your teeth may be shinier because the device used to remove the cement also serves to polish the teeth as it does this! And you needn’t worry about any pain as it shouldn’t hurt at all. You might feel some pressure as the brackets are removed, but the process, overall, should be painless.
What Will My Teeth Be Like Once the Braces Are Removed?
Where the braces covered the teeth, there may be a noticeable difference in the colour of the tooth due to the brackets and bonding adhesive on parts of the tooth. Should this occur, you may want to consider whitening services provided by our dentist. It’s best to wait until after your braces are removed before whitening your teeth, as the whitening compounds can potentially damage orthodontic appliances, and it’s a good idea to wait at least a month after getting your braces off in case the teeth are still sensitive.
Also be aware that your gums may be a bit inflamed after getting your braces off, but this should go away within a few days as long as you properly brush and floss. The inflammation is normal and typically comes from the process of removing the bonding plastic from the tooth enamel. If the inflammation or irritation lasts more than a couple of days, you should contact our orthodontist or dentist.
Next, our orthodontist will also take a new impression of your teeth and palate (the roof of your mouth). This impression will be used to create and mould a new retainer that will fit comfortably in your mouth. Usually, you will get a removable retainer that you can take out when you eat, but you should be worn the rest of the time, or as our Forest & Ray orthodontist recommends.
Now It’s Up To You
It’s important to remember that, though the braces are gone, your orthodontic treatment is not over. You still have to wear your retainer and take care of your teeth as our orthodontist instructs. That means frequent brushing and flossing or using an interdental brush. And you should come back to visit a Forest & Ray general dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and check-ups.
And also remember that whether you are beginning the journey to a perfect smile and first considering braces or for any braces needs, Forest & Ray dental clinic should be the dental destination for you. Contact us today!
