After all the work you have put into straightening your smile, the day to remove your braces is finally here! Our team at Bowen Family Orthodontics is here to support you in each step of the process and make things go as smoothly as possible. You may be wondering what to expect when you get your braces off, but don’t worry! We are here to explain the entire process and how to care for your teeth after going home.
Braces Removal Procedure
The day your braces are removed is something to look forward to! Your teeth have finally reached perfect alignment, and now it’s time for your appliances to rest. This straightforward procedure takes around an hour to complete. We will begin by removing your elastics, archwire, and any other components you have on. Our team explains each step of the process in detail so there are no surprises throughout.Â
Bracket Removal
Next, we will remove each bracket from your teeth. Although they may seem impossible to remove due to the bonding cement used to place them, they can be removed easily with the right tools. Dr. Bowen uses special orthodontic pliers to remove them from your teeth. While you may feel minor pressure during this step, we assure you it will remain painless.
Extra Glue Removal
After your brackets are detached, leftover glue will likely remain on your teeth. Dr. Bowen smooths this off with various instruments. Â At the end of this process, your appliance will be removed entirely.Â
Is It Painful?
Luckily, there is no pain involved in removing your appliances! If you are feeling pain or discomfort at any time, please let our team know, and we can take a moment before continuing the process. We will ask how you are doing throughout your appointment to ensure you are comfortable, so all you need to do is sit back and relax!
Upholding Your Oral Hygiene
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. Yellow patches will likely disappear on their own over the course of six months.
To help bolster this process, we encourage you to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth twice daily. Once your braces are removed, it may take a couple of days to get used to the sensation of brushing the whole surface of your teeth. There will also no longer be any wires to prevent you from flossing normally without a special threader, either!
Transitioning Into New Foods
After over a year of constant pressure being placed on your teeth to move into the perfect alignment, they will be slightly sore after your braces are removed. In the days that follow this procedure, Dr. Bowen suggests sticking to a soft-food diet to avoid unnecessary pressure and excessive chewing where you can.
Once they start to feel better, you can gradually transition into the crunchier foods you have missed while wearing your appliance, like popcorn, nuts, apples, and chips! Waiting an extra few days before enjoying these foods will help make the transition from your braces easier.
Prioritizing Your Follow-Up Appointments
After you get your braces off, Dr. Bowen will still want you to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure your teeth stay healthy and everything goes according to plan.Â
It is crucial you continue to prioritize these check-ins. They are a dedicated time for our team to examine your teeth and alert you of any issues before they become severe. This is also the perfect time to ask any questions you may have thought of since your last visit.
Wearing a Retainer
As you transition out of your braces, the next step of your treatment plan is a retainer. This custom-made appliance is placed perfectly over your new teeth placement. We provide each patient with one to help their new smile stay in place and prevent relapse. Wearing your retainer as prescribed is essential for long-term support.
Dr. Bowen typically suggests wearing it full-time for the next three to six months, depending on your specific needs, to allow your gums and tissue to settle into place. Afterward, you will only need to keep it in nightly to ensure your teeth stay in place. If you lose your retainer or it gets damaged, please let us know as soon as possible so we can provide you with a replacement.
Show Off Your Perfect Aligned Smile!
With your braces off, it is time for you to enjoy your brand-new smile! As you begin this new phase of your treatment, our team encourages you to ask questions as they come up. We are dedicated to being your support each step of the way. Bowen Family Orthodontics provides our expert orthodontic skills to Mullica Hill and the surrounding communities. If you believe you are ready to begin braces treatment, contact our office today to schedule your free consultation and be seen by Dr. Bowen. Your journey starts here!