No matter where you are in your treatment plan, you are surely looking forward to the day your braces come off and your new smile is ready to show off to your family and friends! At Champlain Orthodontics, we are here to support your excitement as well as any nerves you may be feeling about the process. Our team is here to share with you what to expect when you get your braces off and how to support recovery.
Removing Your Braces Step-By-Step
Your braces removal appointment is a huge step in your treatment plan and something to look forward to as your teeth shift into their final position. It means your smile is just about ready to be revealed! Removing your appliance is a simple procedure that typically lasts a half-hour to an hour.
Removing Small Components
It is completed in three steps, the first being to remove small components you may have, such as your archwire, elastics, or orthodontic band. From here, one of our team members will explain how the remainder of your procedure will go so you have a complete understanding of what is to come.
Taking Off the Brackets
You may recall the special orthodontic glue we used to place your brackets on your teeth. They feel permanent, but the glue and brackets are designed to be easily removed with the right tools. We use a pair of dental pliers ready for this job. You may feel minor pressure on your teeth while Dr. Ryan or Dr. Eaton pries each off, but we assure you no pain will be involved.
Taking Off the Glue
Once your brackets are gone, we will need to get rid of any leftover glue residue resting on your teeth. Champlain Orthodontics relies on a high-speed drill to do the job and leave your teeth with a smooth surface. Some patients associate drills with painful dental work and may feel anxious during this step, which is entirely normal. Dr. Ryan or Dr. Eaton will only go as far as the surface layer. While it may be uncomfortable, we assure you no aches will arise.
Does It Hurt?
This procedure is completely painless! Our team will continually check in with you throughout the process to ensure you are comfortable and do what we can to help you relax. Please let us know if you begin to feel nervous or uneasy at any point, and we will be happy to take a short break while you take a breather. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have throughout!
Prioritize Your Check-Ins
In order to ensure your teeth stay healthy and in place, we will ask you to schedule a handful of follow-up appointments over the following months after your braces are removed. This dedicated time allows our team to let you know of any issues that need addressing or advise you on how to best care for your teeth. These visits typically last a short time and are infrequent, so it is crucial you prioritize attending them.
Coping with Tooth Sensitivity
Your braces have been applying constant pressure on your teeth for likely more than a year to achieve an ideal alignment. After taking them off, your teeth will be sore as they transition from having your appliance on full-time. You can help support their recovery over the next few days by sticking to a soft-food diet similar to the one you had with your braces on. This will prevent excessive pressure or chewing that may cause pain.
As your teeth begin to feel normal, you can start eating the crunchy or hard foods you had to avoid throughout treatment, like chewing gum, popcorn, nuts, and apples. Waiting an extra few days before enjoying these foods will help make the transition from braces easier.
Long-Term Support with Your Retainer
Did you know your teeth are constantly moving? Even if you don’t notice immediate changes, the bones within your gums shift when left alone. To help reach your long-term smile goals, Champlain Orthodontics provides each of our patients with a retainer. This appliance is custom-made to fit your new teeth placement to ensure they stay in place.
Dr. Ryan or Dr. Eaton will explain the schedule for wearing your retainer after removing your braces. They typically suggest wearing it full-time for three to six months as your gums and tissue settle into place. You can then transition into nightly use to keep your smile in place. Should you lose or damage your retainer, let us know so we can provide you with a new one.
Managing Discoloration
Discoloration is a normal thing to see after your braces are removed. For over a year, you have been unable to clean the entire surface of your teeth, so there are bound to be some areas that need attention. They may show up as yellow patches and will likely disappear on their own over the course of six months.
In the meantime, you can support this process by brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, using mouthwash, and scrapping your tongue. Routinely following these steps keeps your mouth free of plaque, tartar, and pesky pieces of food stuck between your teeth. After your braces are removed, you will finally be able to clean the entire surface of your teeth!
Embrace Your Perfect Smile!
Champlain Orthodontics is your support system throughout your braces treatment plan. Whether you have questions after your free consultation or a year after your braces are removed, you can rely on our team to help! We provide expert orthodontic services to Williston, St. Albans, and the nearby communities. Schedule your free consultation and work towards a straighter smile today!