TL;DR:
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Braces removal is usually quick and painless, though you may hear cracking sounds as brackets are released.
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The clinician uses special pliers to gently break the bond between brackets and teeth.
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Any leftover adhesive is carefully scraped and polished away.
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After removal, you are typically fitted with a retainer to keep teeth aligned for months or years.
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Temporary tooth sensitivity is common after braces come off.
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Avoid very hot or very cold foods at first, and hold off on whitening treatments until sensitivity subsides.
Whether you have had your braces for months or years, it is understandable to feel excitement when it is time to get them taken off.
Soon, you will be able to see your improved smile, and this is the moment you have been waiting for since you had the braces put on. But, after that initial excitement, some patients may have some apprehension about the actual procedure of having braces removed. The removal of your braces is not a difficult process, so read further as we explain what a patient can expect at their braces removal appointment with a trusted Scottsdale dentist.
How Long Will It Take?
Actually, removing the braces from your teeth does not take long at all. You can rest assured that having braces removed will not take as long as having them put on. There isn’t a specific time for everyone; the braces can be removed in only minutes, but may take up to an hour. What the patient should know, however, is that there will be more work to do after the braces come off. More on that a little later though…
What To Expect While the Braces Are Removed
Your dentist or orthodontist will use a pair of special pliers to remove your braces. The pliers will gently take hold of each bracket and give them a little squeeze. This allows the dentist or orthodontist to separate the bracket from the tooth. Some brackets are made to break apart as they are taken from the tooth, and most brackets can come off in one piece. You will not feel any pain during a braces removal; however, you might feel pressure. Also, you should expect to hear some loud noises, like a cracking sound as the brackets are removed. These noises, while alarming, are totally normal. After the braces are off, your dentist or orthodontist will have to scrape any leftover residue from the cement or glue that was used to keep your braces in place. They do this by using a special instrument designed for this task. The scraping process can take up to five minutes; it just depends on how much residue is left. It is not uncommon for the patient to experience a little tooth sensitivity after the braces come off.
You Might Need To Wear a Retainer
After the braces have been removed and all the glue and cement have been cleaned away, your orthodontist might need to measure your mouth for a retainer. The retainer holds your teeth in their new positions. It will depend on how long a patient will have to wear the retainer, but it could be a few years, so be prepared for that. While you are required to wear a retainer, you should make every effort to keep it clean. Take good care of your retainer by not misplacing it. And, make sure to wear your retainer as advised by your orthodontist. Eventually, you will only have to wear it at night. The retainer works to keep the shape of your new teeth, so that they do not go back to how they were before braces. It is very possible that your orthodontist will make a mold for your retainer, so be prepared for that as well. It will not be painful to have the mold made. Getting used to your new retainer might take a while, but remember that it is important to wear it to keep your teeth straight. It will probably feel awkward to wear your retainer at first, and it may cause you to speak with a lisp. To deal with this, it is recommended that you wear it a lot to begin with and practice talking and singing. If you put in the right amount of practice, your lisp will eventually go away. You will also have to adapt to excessive drool in the first few days of wearing a retainer. Fear not, this too will go away after a few days.
How to Care for Teeth After Braces
A patient will have to allow their teeth some time to heal after getting braces off. Talk to your orthodontist about the proper way to care for your teeth post-braces and follow the instructions carefully. The more closely you follow after care instructions, the sooner your teeth will adapt, and the sooner you will get to ditch the retainer. Remember that teeth will be extra sensitive post braces so avoid food and beverages that might make it feel worse. No extremely hot or cold foods or beverages for a while, and no chewy or hard foods either. You may also want to wait a few months to whiten the teeth because of the extra sensitivity. If you’re searching for a dentist near me for help during this transition, your Scottsdale dentist is there to guide you every step of the way.