The day your braces are removed is a huge step in your oral health. You finally get to see the smile you have been working on for over a year! The Luv Braces team is here to share what you can expect when you get your braces off, how to care for your teeth in the aftermath, and the importance of wearing a retainer.
The Big Reveal: Removing Your Braces
The Process
On the day of the procedure, we will begin by explaining everything we are about to do in detail so you won’t experience any surprises throughout the process. Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour will then clip off your archwire and remove any additional components you may have had attached, such as orthodontic bands or elastics.
We then move on to detaching your brackets. You may recall our team using bonding cement to ensure they stayed in place throughout treatment. This material may feel impossible to budge, but don’t worry! Special orthodontic pliers are used for this exact purpose. This step typically takes the longest as we carefully pry each bracket from your teeth to avoid any pain.
The final stage of your procedure involves smoothing any leftover glue on your teeth. Our team uses a high-speed drill to do this. We understand some patients may get nervous seeing or hearing the drill due to negative, painful associations with past dental work. However, we only work on the surface.
Is There Any Pain Involved?
After removing your braces, your teeth will likely be sore for a few days. For over a year, they have adjusted to constant slight pressure, so they will need time to settle into place and get used to their new position.
While you may feel slight pressure or soreness during the procedure, we assure you it is painless! Whether Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour are working on your teeth, they will check in on you throughout the process to ensure you are feeling comfortable and if you need to take a breather at any point. Please let our team know if there is anything we can do to help!
The Role of Retainers After Braces
Retainers are an essential part of your treatment plan. This custom-made appliance fits the exact placement of your teeth and prevents them from moving out of their perfect alignment. As you saw with your braces, your teeth are always moving. We provide each patient with a set of retainers to rely on this support and provide you with long-term results.
What Types Are There?
Luv Braces provides two kinds of retainers: removable and fixed. The former is made of plastic, metal, or a combination. It is vital you remember to stick to your prescribed schedule to keep your teeth in the best alignment possible.
Fixed retainers are thin, curved wires placed on the inner tooth surface. They typically only cover your front four to six teeth as they are the most likely to shift position. Some patients receive a combination of the two types depending on their needs.
How Long Do You Need To Wear It?
While everyone’s retainer-wearing schedule is unique, our team typically recommends wearing retainers for three to six months after removing your braces. After this time, only wearing your retainer at night is necessary to keep your teeth in place. However, no harm is done if you accidentally leave it on longer than prescribed.
Maintaining Your New Smile
Drinking Lots of Water
Staying hydrated promotes dental health in many ways. Water naturally contains a mineral known as fluoride, which is used in many toothpastes and mouthwashes. Fluoride prevents tooth decay and cavities and strengthens tooth enamel. Drinking a glass of water after each meal can flush through loose plaque or small food particles left behind.
Oral Hygiene
Brushing, flossing, swishing with mouthwash, and scraping your tongue are just a few ways to maintain oral hygiene and keep your teeth as healthy as possible. These practices eliminate excess plaque and tartar and remove tiny food particles between teeth. The more consistent you are with a routine, the longer your teeth will stay in excellent condition!
Dealing With Pain Relief
As we have mentioned, removing your appliance requires an adjustment period. Your teeth and gums may feel tender for a few days following the procedure, but this will disappear naturally.
If it bothers you, you can start by swishing with warm salt water to eliminate harmful bacteria lingering in your mouth and soothe the area. You can also ask what over-the-counter painkillers Dr. Tahbaz or Dr. Rezapour recommend based on your symptoms.
Caring for Your Teeth After Braces
Discolored Patches
Your brackets covered up a small area of each tooth, preventing you from cleaning them entirely. As a result, you may notice some patchy areas of yellow after they are removed. They will disappear on their own, but you can bolster the process by sticking to your oral hygiene routine. If you continue to notice discoloration, ask our team how long to wait before considering teeth whitening treatment.
Adjusting to Regular Eating
After getting used to eating almost exclusively soft foods, it may take your teeth some time to get used to the sensation of eating crunchy or hard foods again. They may also be slightly sore soon after your braces are removed, so gradually adjusting your mouth to a fully inclusive diet will help bring you back to normalcy.
Calluses
These small, hardened areas of skin are caused by constant friction with your appliance. Don’t worry; they are completely normal and will disappear on their own, but please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.
A Beautiful Smile Awaits You!
Luv Braces is passionate about creating amazing smiles for our patients and boosting their self-confidence. Getting braces is a life-changing experience; our team strives to make it as comfortable as possible. We offer expert orthodontic services to Bee Cave, Austin, and the surrounding communities. Call our office today, and our friendly front desk will gladly help you schedule your free orthodontic consultation.