After months or years of wearing your metal brackets and wires, have you finally come to the end of your orthodontic treatment? Congratulations! Although this is a moment you’ve highly anticipated, you may be surprised that you feel a bit nervous. Does getting your braces removed hurt? What happens next? Don’t worry – you can keep reading to learn what to expect from the removal appointment and why you should prioritize wearing your retainer.
An Inside Look at the Braces Removal Appointment
Although braces are designed to securely stay attached to your teeth, they come off quite easily! Your orthodontist will use a special instrument that will easily locate the weakest points and gently pop off each bracket. Then, the wires will be removed and any lingering adhesive will be carefully buffed off, resulting in an entirely pain-free process.
What Happens Next?
Once your braces are completely removed, your orthodontist will complete the remaining steps, like taking your final photos and designing your retainer. Following your appointment, your new and improved smile will be ready to debut! Perhaps even more exciting, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the foods you’ve been missing, like apples, popcorn, and even gum!
Why Wearing Your Retainer Is Important
As mentioned above, you will be given a custom retainer following your braces removal appointment. This small, but important, orthodontic appliance will play a huge role in helping you prevent orthodontic relapse. After all, braces can effectively guide your teeth into their perfectly aligned positions, but it’s up to you to keep them there. For this reason, you’ll be asked to wear it for 20-22 hours each day during the first six months or so. From there, you’ll be given the green light to wear it solely at night.
How to Care for Your Retainers
Since wearing your retainer should be a lifelong best practice, it’s essential to keep yours in tip-top shape. Otherwise, you’ll need to opt for a replacement every few years. To keep your smile and your wallet happy, make sure to:
- Never eat with your retainers in.
- Brush them each morning and evening with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Never use hot water to rinse them off.
- Soak them weekly in an orthodontist-recommended cleaner.
Getting your braces removed is an exciting time. Since the entire process is pain-free, you don’t have to feel anything but excitement too! Just make sure to wear your retainer to keep your beautiful new smile in pristine condition.
About the Practice
For our team at Simply Orthodontics, straightening teeth isn’t just what we do; it’s our passion! We love helping nearby individuals and families trade in their misaligned teeth and uneven bites for balanced, beautiful, and healthy smiles. Plus, we can help preserve those results for a lifetime with comfortable and custom-made retainers. If you have a question about getting your braces removed or are interested in starting orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 250-0170.